Politics: Newham and Lambeth to elect youth mayors

The two boroughs are following the lead of fellow London authority Lewisham, which pioneered the UKs first youth mayor in 2004.

Newham has started searching for candidates for its poll, which will take place during Local Democracy Week in October. Young people between the ages of 14 and 18 who go to school or live in the borough can stand if they gain 50 nominations.

Newham Mayor Sir Robin Wales said he wanted the election campaign to ignite a passion for politics among young people.

A spokeswoman for the council said: This is a way of including young people in the political process, helping them understand how the council works and involving them in the decisions that affect them.Candidates will receive assistance in producing manifestos and be given media training. Ballot boxes will be placed in schools across the borough and the count will take place at Newham Town Hall. We are treating this as seriously as we would a normal election, said the spokeswoman.