THE youngest candidate in a school's youth council election was picked by classmates to represent them.

Three students from Alder Grange High School in Rawtenstall put themselves forward as candidates for the elections -- Jody Loveday of year nine, Ian Barber of year ten, and Dean Crook from year eight.

The winner was Dean, who polled more than 400 votes.

The school devoted a full morning off timetable to explain about citizenship in a programme organised by teacher Mrs Kate Peircy.

Pupils designed their own community centre and discovered who their local councillors were.

And when it came to the election they used realistic ballot papers and voted in real election booths.