AS the nation prepares for a General Election to choose who the next MPs should be, Warrington's youths have already held important elections of their own.

Warrington was the first local authority in the north west to elect its new Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs).

Election day was at the Gateway, opposite the Golden Gates.

MYPs are part of the UK Youth Parliament (UKYP), a national charity aimed at empowering young people and giving them a voice at the highest levels.

Warrington is is eligible for two MYPs, young people who feel they could help make a difference in the lives of other teens in Warrington.

Young people from all over Warrington were eligible to stand for election and those who did were interviewed on the day in front of other youths.

Once the interviews were over, all youngsters were asked to cast their vote.

From the vote, two MYPs and two deputy MYPs were elected.

The deputies will work with the MYPs to consult Warrington's teenagers.

The UKYP runs all over the country and the north west is one of the most active regions and there are always vacancies for young people to get involved.

If you would like to know more about the UKYP, or you want to meet with your MYPs, you can e-mail them on youth_inc@warrington.gov.uk or call 811955 and leave a message for youth workers Adam or Wendy, who will pass on your messages.