Two passionate Bridport students - who are standing for election to the UK Youth Parliament - hope to represent the county by tackling issues such as climate change and young people’s mental health.

Saffi Pearce and Stanley Bowden, from the Sir John Colfox Academy have been campaigning for votes for the election.

Keen to represent young people and make the world a better place, the UK Youth Parliament provides opportunities for teens to bring about social change through ‘meaningful representation and campaigning’.

Miss Pearce and Mr Bowden will be competing against students from other Dorset schools and if elected, they will represent the whole county at a national level.

Miss Pearce, who is in year 10, hopes to support and improve young people’s mental health services, she said: “I am running for the UK Youth Parliament because I am passionate about helping young people to have a better life.

“I am campaigning to stop discrimination and improve access to mental health services.”

Mr Bowden, who is in year 11, hopes to win votes by tackling uniform limitations, he said: “I want to change things for young people, which is why I’m campaigning for students’ rights and freedoms.

“I think uniform restrictions should be loosened and I’d like to see more places where young people can express themselves.

“I’m also campaigning for more action on climate change and plastic pollution.”

Sharing his pride, Headteacher of the Sir John Colfox Academy, Adam Shelley, said: “We are very proud of Saffi and Stan, they are both great candidates and we wish them luck.

“We are keen to support the UK Youth Parliament elections and encourage our students to stand and also to vote, because it is a great way of learning how democracy works, how important voting is and how we can all take part and make a difference.”

The pride for the two budding Youth Parliament members doesn’t stop there.

Participation Co-ordinator at the Sir John Colfox Academy, Natalie Burden is also thrilled for the pair. She said: “It is brilliant to see that our students are so passionate about improving the world around them. We are all looking forward to the elections.”