Hampshire's six new Members of the UK Youth Parliament had a taste of local democracy in action at a meeting of the county council.

The MYPs met chairman, Peter Hutcheson, and leader, Ken Thornber for a briefing before attending the full council where they explained their role to the county councillors.

The objective of the UK Youth Parliament is to give young people a voice which will be listened to by national and local government.

The MYPs will be engaging with young people across the county to determine their views and concerns which they will then raise with decision-makers such as councils, MPs and Government ministers.

The UK Youth Parliament elections were held in February in Havant, Basingstoke and the New Forest.

The six successful candidates were John Tippett-Cooper (18) from Romsey, and 16-year-olds, Oliver Edwards, from Havant, Emma Biermann, from Basingstoke, Guy Parsons, from Tadley, Anne Gammon, from Fareham, and Max Tindle, from Lymington.

"I was delighted to be able to welcome the county's new members of the UK Youth Parliament to the county council meeting where they saw local democracy in action," said Mr Hutcheson.

Mr Thornber added: "One of the county council's key priorities is to develop opportunities for young people.

"The youth Parliament provides them with the chance to influence national and local policies and decision-making.

"The county council is consulting the new MYPs on the cross-departmental 'Youth Strategy' it is developing to provide a clear vision of future services for young people.

"Providing facilities for young people has regularly proved to be a key concern for Hampshire residents, as shown in the latest Mori survey where 28% said it should be a top spending priority.

"This is why the county council is keen to work with Hampshire teenagers to hear their views so we can solve these problems together."