YOUNG people are being urged to vote and have their say on key issues for Wiltshire and the south west by taking part in elections this week.

Last year the same elections attracted 32,000 votes.

Fourteen candidates from across Wiltshire are standing for nomination to the Wiltshire Assembly of Youth (WAY) and the UK Youth Parliament Elections (UKYP).

WAY and UKYP sit on a number of key boards ensuring children and young people’s views and best interests are being heard. They have influence on decisions affecting children, safeguarding and services delivered to young people.

Election week runs until Sunday.

Organisers hope young people aged 11 to 19 will vote in their thousands and exceed last year’s participation when 70 per cent of those eligible voted.

This is the 11th year of youth elections and involving young people in the democratic process. Voting is by free text message on 80800.

Information on all the candidates’ manifestos is available to view at sparksite.co.uk.