YOUNGSTERS in Darlington are preparing to elect the town's new Youth Parliament representative.

Yesterday, five candidates revealed they were standing in the ballot, which will elect the new Member of Youth Parliament (MYP) and a deputy.

The positions are currently held by Kevin Nicholson, 17, and his deputy, Ashleigh Trevarrow, 15, who were elected in last year's election and who are both are standing again.

Also standing are Christian Smith, Lorin Shepherdson and Matthew Mason, all aged 15.

The elections, supported by Darlington Youth Service, will be held on Thursday, February 16, and every secondary school and college in Darlington will have polling stations.

Every young person in the borough aged between 11 and 18 is eligible to vote.

Results will be announced in the Dolphin Centre's central hall that night.

The elected MYP and deputy will represent the young people of Darlington at the UK Youth Parliament, which first sat in 2001, and will help to articulate youngsters' views and concerns at local and national government levels.

Representative hopefuls make their stand

ASHLEIGH TREVARROW, 15 (current Darlington deputy MYP)

MAIN AIMS IF ELECTED:

* To create an Internet caf for young people in Darlington town centre

* To introduce the North-East Really Delivers (Nerd) campaign into the town, which helps young people to find local jobs

* To improve public transport for young people in the town centre and surrounding rural areas.

WHY YOU SHOULD VOTE FOR ME:

"In my year as deputy, some of the things I have done have only just started to get going, and if I am re-elected they would be able to continue.

"It would give me more chance to achieve my goals and help me make changes to benefit young people."

CHRISTIAN SMITH, 15

MAIN AIMS IF ELECTED:

* Develop existing services in rural areas including Hurworth and Middleton St George

* To tackle issues such as drinking and drugs with young people aged under 13.

* To personally consult young people and increase opportunities for youth consultation. Support would also be given to young people who want to voice their opinions.

WHY YOU SHOULD VOTE FOR ME:

"I would engage with young people and offer help to them to actively take part in the community where they live.

"I would also give young people the chance to run projects and set up clubs, as well as developing existing services offered by the youth service."

KEVIN NICHOLSON, 17 (current Darlington MYP)

MAIN AIMS IF ELECTED:

* Every Darlington ward to have an elected representative to sit on the town's youth partnership, raising the concerns of young people in their ward, and youth forums to be promoted.

* To help set up more activities for young people across Darlington, and encourage a wider range of low-cost physical activities."

* To encourage young people to raise £1,000 for the charity of the year (set up by Kevin) - St Teresa's Hospice.

* Set up projects to help bridge the gap between the young and elderly, with increased interaction to challenge the youth stereotype

WHY YOU SHOULD VOTE FOR ME:

"One year has not been enough to do what I wanted. I have put so much into it, and have made it as young person-friendly as possible. I have raised the profile of the Youth Parliament in Darlington, and sent out monthly newsletters to keep people up-to-date. I have learnt a lot about the town and its young people, and built up relationships with the town's service providers."

LORIN SHEPHERDSON, 15

MAIN AIMS IF ELECTED:

* To raise environmental awareness among the younger community, especially in primary schools

* To promote charity work, and encourage schools to nominate a charity and set up their own events

WHY YOU SHOULD VOTE FOR ME:

"I would work towards creating a better future for the younger generation."

MATTHEW MASON, 15

MAIN AIMS IF ELECTED:

l To persuade people to recycle more and take care of their environment. Also to encourage people to put their rubbish in bins and keep the Darlington area tidy.

l To challenge the stereotypical views of teenagers many people have, and encourage the older and younger generations to meet and work together to create a more positive impression.

l To increase awareness of aspects of sex education among young people, such as diseases and infections.

WHY YOU SHOULD VOTE FOR ME:

"I want to work towards creating a more positive impression of teenagers in the town, and challenge the negative view many people have."