SOME of the brightest and best hopes for the town's future gathered in Bolton last night for the Youth MP elections.

The election in the Council Chamber at Bolton Town Hall, saw 10 candidates aged 13 to 16 from schools across Bolton stand for the UK Youth Parliament.

After months of campaigning and balloting Ella Tinniswood, aged 13, from Westhoughton, and Jonathan Owen, aged 15, from Hall i'th' Wood were declared the new Bolton Youth MPs, after securing 3,095 and 3,091 votes respectively.

They will be deputised by Molly McDermott and Nat Entwistle, as outgoing Bolton Youth MPs Jonathan Wright and Jaya Patel, who would usually take up the roles, head off to university.

Miss Tinniswood, a pupil at Westhoughton High School, said: "I really wasn't expecting this because all the candidates are so great and anyone who ran would have done a great job.

"I'm so grateful to anyone who voted for me and for all the support I have received from my parents and every one at the council.

"I'm definitely looking forward to to the role. It will be hard work, but I'm really looking forward to working with all the Youth MPs."

Mr Owen, a pupil at Thornleigh Salesian College, added: "I'm really pleased that young people all over Bolton have chosen me.

"I would like to thank all my friends and peers who have supported me and helped me, and my family who have given me the confidence and encouraged me to pursue anything I want.

"And thank you to the young people of Bolton who I'm going to do my utmost to represent at a local, regional and national level."

The turnout for the election was 20,883, soundly beating last year's record by over 10 per cent.

Ballots, placed in participating school across the town, ran from the beginning of March until the 28, continuing online until April 3.

Over the course of the election cycle candidates took their manifestos out in to Bolton streets, youth centres and schools including Ladybridge and Rivington and Blackrod High Schools.

Ciara Steele, a Bolton Council participation officer who helped to run the Youth MP elections, said: "It was an amazing turnout and the candidates have been incredible throughout the whole campaign process.

"Any of the candidates would have made great MPs. They have all been great and they all did an amazing job.

"I wish Ella and Jonathan all the best and I'm sure they will be great Youth MPs."

As part of their new roles the Youth MPs will be responsible for finding out the concerns, interests and needs of other young people in Bolton, and discuss these at local, regional and national levels.

The will also meet with MPs, councillors, and key decision makers, attend regional meetings and sit with the UK Youth Parliament in the House of Commons once a year.

Outgoing Bolton Youth MP, Miss Patel, aged 18, a student at Runshaw College, said: "I wish all the candidates good look. It has been an amazing journey and I want every one to get the most out of what is going to be coming in the future.

"We are not just young people we are young people of the future and it's important to carry on the campaigning we have left behind.

"I want to thank all the candidates who ran because it shows there's an interest in being part of Bolton and of sharing young people's opinions."

Her colleague, Mr Wright, aged 18, a student at Thornleigh Sixth Form, added: "It has been a real honour to serve the young people of Bolton for the last two years and I pass on my utmost congratulations to Jonathan and Ella, who I'm sure will do their best for Bolton."