THE new youth MP for Blackburn with Darwen has been elected.

After polling almost half the record 9,000 votes cast, Jessica Henderson from St Bede’s High School was unveiled as the winner yesterday.

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Jessica will be joined by two deputies, Khatheja Asif, who will serve another term as deputy youth MP after taking third place, with Hamza Khan who finished second.

Jessica, whose hobbies include gymnastics and current affairs, won on a campaign that would see the voices of young people put at the very heart of council affairs.

She said: “It is really important to me to ensure that young people know that there is support available for them if they need it. I intend to ensure that young people within Blackburn know who to contact if they have an issue or query that they need help with.”

Acting as returning officer, council leader Cllr Kate Hollern said: “It is vital that young people take an active role in politics.”