THREE sassy schoolgirls went to London and told Home Secretary and Blackburn MP Jack Straw what they want, what they really, really want.

Armed with a down-to-earth attitude and lots of common sense, Carrie Gray and Gemma Jackson, both 16, and Tracy Fitzpatrick, 15, spelt out to the "Listen Up" conference that they wanted good jobs and decent wages, a career structure and no unwanted pregnancies. The trio of friends have now made a CD about how they feel called Talking About How We Feel Right Now.

The three girls - all pupils at Burnley's Ivy Bank High School and members of the youth club at the Stoops and Hargher Clough Community Centre - were equally clear about what they did not want.

Their fears for the future, they said, were no jobs, a life on the dole and unwanted pregnancies.

The conference, attended by hundreds of young people from throughout the country and organised by the National Youth Agency, was addressed by Mr Straw, Labour peer Baroness Jay and Government front-bencher Paul Boateng.

After being split into discussion groups, the girls were able to speak to Mr Boateng.

Barbara Norris, manager at the community centre: "We have a girls' night at the youth club and the three, together with Sarah Knowles, who is 15, were chosen by the other members to go to London and tell these Government members what they want for the future and their fears. "

Earlier this week, the trio travelled to County Hall to give county councillors the same message.

Joined by other members of the girls night sessions, the trio made their CD.

"We have put it on the internet," said Mrs Norris.

"The girls made it at Burnley College's music department and were helped by a member of Burnley Youth Theatre."

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