Three Haverhill students are campaigning to become west Suffolk’s new youth member of parliament.

The students – Amelia Hodges and Jess Nobbs, both 12, and 15-year-old Kathiravan Parthipan – from Samuel Ward Academy have drawn up manifestos after listening to a presentation from the Suffolk Youth Parliament.

Students were asked to register their interest with the youth parliament and there are seven candidates now campaigning across the west of the county.

Amelia and Kathiravan have written their manifestos and Jess has made a video with all three pledging to make sure young voices are heard and valued, as well as being keen to give young people more opportunities.

For the next two weeks, they are campaigning across the area to get 11-18 year olds in west Suffolk to vote for them.

Any young person aged 11-18 can vote by visiting www.thesource.me.uk between March 5 and March 9.

The election is for young people across Suffolk to elect an MYP (Members of Youth Parliament) and DMYP (Deputy Members of Youth Parliament) for West & Bury, Ipswich, North Ipswich, Central & South, Coastal & Waveney to represent young people in each area.

After the votes have been counted, a member of youth parliament will be elected and whoever comes second is given the title of deputy.

Jenna Powell, assistant headteacher at Samuel Ward Academy, said: “We are incredibly proud of all three students for showing an interest and passion for getting the voices and opinions of young people to be heard and being motivated to inspire changes for young people across the country.

“All three are exceptionally talented and motivated young people and we are very proud to have them as part of Samuel Ward Academy.”