BUDEHAVEN Simon Sparrow is standing for election in the North and East Cornwall area of Members of the Youth Parliament (MYP).

Voting for the MYPs started on Monday and will run until today (Thursday) and young people have been able to place their votes in schools and youth centres.

Cornwall has three MYPs and three Deputy Members for Mid Cornwall, West Cornwall and North and East Cornwall, who represent the views of young people and champion issues locally, regionally and nationally.

Simon is among the three standing in the North and East Cornwall area. Each candidate was asked to identify five key issues affecting young people in Cornwall.

Simon has been involved in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme and is a language leader, a sports leader and an ASDAN peer tutor. He said he is responsible, dedicated and prepared to speak up for the rights of young people.

His key issues were: poor media representation (too many negative stereotypes); positive activities (more positive activities that link young people from different areas); access to opportunities (more opportunities and schemes to engage young people in their local communities); transport (fair bus fees and better rural links) and leaving home (more support for young people leaving home).

The winners will be announced at a special ceremony at County Hall, Truro, on February 28.