THE young voice of the North was raised at the weekend as the next generation of politicians met to discuss issues pertinent to the youth of today.

UK Youth Parliament members from Leeds to the Scottish Borders gathered at County Hall, Durham, for their first regional meeting since their election earlier in the year.

Further meetings and workshops will be staged on a regular basis during the coming months before the North's delegates take part in the national parliamentary session, in Birmingham, in July, to draw up their manifesto to present to the Government.

The Youth Parliament was launched in the House of Commons in 1999, aimed at providing a platform to raise issues of interest to young people. Its first-year findings are being considered by the Government.

Among the delegates taking part in Saturday's session, in the County Hall council chamber, was 12-year-old Natalie English, from Blackhill, near Consett, County Durham. As one of the younger Youth Parliament members, the Blackfyne Community School pupil was just getting used to her new role.

"It's nice to be involved. We had to put our names forward at school and then we went for election.

"It was the first time I've ever gone in for any sort of election and I got through."

The session was organised by Dave Emmerson, education in the community officer for Durham County Council.

He said the main aim of delegates was to develop feedback with other young people prior to July's national parliamentary session.

"The idea is that they bring ideas forward from talking to other young people.

"There is an e-mail address in the throes of being set up which will allow more young people a chance to put their ideas forward," he said.

About 40 delegates took part in the debate, hosted by Durham County Council.