POLITICIANS and presenters had better look out because teenage "MP" Charlotte O'Horo has big ambitions.
She's only 5ft 4ins and aged 15 but she knows her own mind and has bags of confidence to get up and shout for what the youth of today wants.
As she studies for her GCSEs at Towneley High School in Burnley the busy blonde is also fitting in being head girl, playing the euphonium in the school band and being one of only six MYPs in Lancashire -- Members of the Youth Parliament.
She said: "I have always been one who has had my own opinions and can see things from other people's point of view and I love meeting people."
Charlotte was one of 150 young people who attended a meeting at Chorley. The 49 who put themselves forward as candidates had to give a two-minute talk, followed by a question and answer session.
She said: "I told them that young people need a say because we hold the keys to opening doors for young people. I also told them I was willing to put others' points of view.
"When it came to the questions they asked me what made me think I would be better to represent young people than anyone else and I just said I was willing to do my best.
"They asked me what my principles were and I said it's not my principles that matter, its the views of the youth of East Lancashire that I have to put forward."
The assembly voted and Charlotte was one of the six elected.
At a residential weekend meeting they drew up proposals for a youth manifesto for Lancashire and Charlotte was one of the team who presented the proposals to county councillors.
She said: "We looked at issues relating to education and training, transport and the environment, health and leisure, law and community safety. "We want an identity card introduced so young people can prove their age and also more internet cafes and homework centres. They were surprised how sensible our ideas were."
Last month she attended the first ever national meeting of the MYPs in London when the 300 members aged 12 to 20 formulated a manifesto.
She said: "It was well good -- 300 of us in this massive hotel. We had meetings and workshops. It was really hectic and we had very little sleep. There were 300 chiefs and no-one in charge and I think we learned some lessons."
Although already an "MP" she is not Political with a capital and has her sights set on being a children's TV presenter -- Blue Peter if possible.
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