Young people living in Wycombe will be given a voice in their community following the launch of a new youth council.

Wycombe District Council has teamed up with Wycombe Youth Action to set up the council - which will be made up of representatives aged between 11 and 21 from every secondary, further and higher education centre in the area.

In the new academic year students will be able to put themselves forward for election – with the new Wycombe District Youth Council expected to hold its first meeting in the autumn.

The group will meet six times a year in either Marlow, High Wycombe and Princes Risborough on a rotation basis.

WDC’s cabinet member for youth and external partnerships, councillor David Carroll, said: "As well as delivering day to day services, the council has to make long term plans for the future which affect everyone.

“The decisions we make today will have a direct effect on the young people who live in Wycombe District tomorrow and potentially for many years to come.

“A lot of young people have never had any direct contact with the council, so the youth council, in partnership with Wycombe Youth Action, is one way we listen to what they have to say on the issues that matter most to them."

Youth council members will liaise with Cllr Carroll who will attend meetings and listen to their discussions.

Wycombe Youth Action will contact schools and education centres in the coming weeks to discuss how pupils can get involved in the new school year.

General manager of Wycombe Youth Action, Sadia Hussain, said: “We are really excited about this partnership with Wycombe District Council and are looking forward to empowering young people and helping them understand why it is important to be involved in their community and politics.”