AT the age of 18-years-old Malaika Dean is the youngest candidate standing in this year's local elections as she follows her father a long standing councillor into politics.

The Bury College student is standing as a Conservative councillor in Halliwell, where her great grandfather settled when he moved from India to Bolton during the 1920s.

Malaika, who is studying public services, said: "I want to be the voice of the young people, and this an opportunity to stand in an interesting ward, which forms part of the town centre, the regeneration of which is important for young people."

She added: "Public service is my ambition, it is what I am studying at college and will be studying at university.

"I am very excited about standing for council, campaigning is different this year because there has not been as much face to face contact, but I do enjoy the atmosphere of the count."

The teenager,who still has family living in Halliwell, brought forward her ambitions to stand for election because of the pandemic.

Malaika, who says she loves the town she was born in, said: "I want to do my bit in every way I can."

Her father, Cllr Mudasir Dean said: "I was a bit surprised when she told me she wanted to stand this year, I was expecting her to stand but not this year.

"I think that with everything that has gone on in the last 12 months and everything that has happened pushed her to stand this year."

He added: "You are never too young to serve your community and she has been involved in volunteering for a long time, including at Bolton Lads and Girls' Club."