LEIGH has a new voice in Westminster to speak up for the town's young people.

Last week Golborne's Rachael Ward took her seat on the National Youth Parliament which will help to draw up a youth manifesto to be presented to both local and national government.

Rachael, 18, has been the borough's member of the United Kingdom Youth Parliament since the beginning of the year and this week was given the chance to put her debating skills to the test at the first annual gathering.

Traditionally the assembly meets in Westminster but this year delegates from across the country were given a taste of northern hospitality at Lancaster University.

Rachael, who won her seat following elections at the Monaco Ballroom in February, got into politics through the borough's youth council network and was its first deputy member before becoming a fully-fledged MYP.

Rachael, whose is keen to discuss young people and health, said: "The parliament is a good way for young people to get their views heard at national level and it makes us more focused on issues in our own area."