A new youth council aimed at allowing teenagers to get their voices heard in the corridors of power has been launched in North Yorkshire.

The North Yorkshire Youth Council has been established with the support of the County Council's 4Youth service. Members will be drawn from the local youth councils already in operation across North Yorkshire.

At the first meeting in York, members from as far afield as Scarborough, Skipton, Selby and Richmond met to discuss how the new council will function.

"There are currently 20 local youth councils operating across North Yorkshire," said County Councillor Heather Garnett, Executive Member for Youth Services.

"Each takes an increasing role in distributing funding to young people's organisations, liaising with District and Borough Councils and organising events and activities for young people.

"The county wide youth council will provide the opportunity for the area youth councils to work together, share ideas and campaign on issues of common concern.

"Representatives from NYYC will also eventually take up seats on the UK Youth Parliament and the British Youth Council giving North Yorkshire's youth a national voice."

Alex Christodoulou a Youth Councillor from Selby District said "It's exciting to be a part of something big and new that is going to help the young people of North Yorkshire."

James Parkes, Youth Council and Keyfund Co-ordinator with North Yorkshire County Council's 4Youth Service, said :

"There is no doubting the enthusiasm and motivation of the NYYC members. Our biggest challenge is the logistical problem of trying to get up to 40 young people, many from the far reaches of the county, together in one place"

Any young person interested in becoming involved in Youth Councils should contact james.parkes@northyorks.gov.uk, or call 07854 498528.