SIX students are hitting the campaign trail in an attempt to be voted Darlington’s next representative for Youth Parliament.

The school pupils, aged between 13 and 17, will spend the next few weeks campaigning for the support of young people in Darlington and a seat in Youth Parliament.

The winner will be given the job of helping fellow youngsters have their say on issues in the town for the next two years.

They will also represent Darlington at a debate at the House of Commons in November.

The candidates are Joe Clark and Joseph Barker both 13, of Darlington School of Mathematics and Science, Josh Wakeford, 16, of Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, Danny Brown, 14, and Amy Merchant, 15, both of Longfield Academy of Sport, and Rachel Gunnell, 17, of Carmel College.

Each of the candidates has drafted a manifesto, which address issues such as youth unemployment, internet safety and bullying.

School pupils will hit the polls from February 24 to 28 to decide which candidate will take up a set in the Youth Parliament.

The new Member of Youth Parliament will be announced on March 4.

Councillor Cyndi Hughes, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for children and young people, said: “I am delighted with the standard of the candidates and I look forward to their campaigns.

“The way the campaigns and elections are carried out is exactly the way it is done in adult parliament.”