SIX young people keen to gain experience of standing for political office will be vying to represent Hillingdon at the UK Youth Parliament next year.

More than 60 young people, who attended Hillingdon Council's annual youth conference in December, heard manifesto speeches given by 12 prospective Ucandidates and voted for their favourites.

The six who gained the most votes will now start campaigning for election to represent Hillingdon at UKYP in 2015-6.

This will be decided by a borough-wide ballot of young people aged 11-18 in February. There are two UKYP seats available, as well as a deputy position.

The annual youth conference encouraged young people to debate topical issues, such as whether 16- and 17-year-olds should be given the right to vote.

Candidates 2015-16: Dilani Selvanathan, 15, Queensmead High School; Anurag Mathur, 16, Ruislip High School; Kameal Ahmed, 17, Abbotsfield Sixth Form; Talin Aslanian, 16, Bishop Ramsey Sixth Form; Courtney Thompson, 17, Swakeleys Sixth Form; Melissa Braithwaite, 16, Douay Martyrs Sixth Form