13,500 YOUNG PEOPLE VOTE IN ELECTION

Eventually, 25 young people canvassed for 12 seats on the county's first ever Youth Cabinet, as well as for three seats in the UK's Youth Parliament, first established in 2001.

In the Lewes region, Katrina Mather, 14, of Seaford Head Community College, and Liam Francis, 13, of Tideway School, Newhaven, were elected to the cabinet. Katrina was also elected as a Member of the Youth Parliament for Lewes and Wealden with Liam as her deputy.

Anyone aged 11 to 18 living in the county could vote in the elections which took place from November 20 to December 1. More than 13,500 young people visited polling stations in schools, colleges and youth centres around the county: a turnout of 38.74%.

This is the first Youth Cabinet to be elected in the county. Its 12 members (two for each of the six regions of the county) will provide a credible and authoritative 'Youth' voice, on East Sussex issues, to the key decision-makers in the county. The cabinet members will represent young people on issues such as transport, drugs, the environment, sexual health, bullying and exams. They will also be involved in a video project, conferences and producing a 'hitch-hiker's guide to East Sussex.' The Members of the Youth Parliament will also represent East Sussex at national events and meetings with government ministers.

Cllr Meg Stroude, Lead Member for Children and Families, said: 'By supporting the Youth Cabinet initiative, the county council is helping to ensure that young people's voices will be heard in East Sussex and beyond. Encouraging participation from young people is very important to us.'