A 17-year-old youth councillor is appealing for her peers to help fight for young people's rights in Burnley.

Albia Begum of Daneshouse Road, Burnley, is a computer literacy and psychology student at Burnley College and has been a member of Burnley's District Youth Council since January.

The Youth Council was formed in 2000 after the National Youth member of parliament elections were held. Six Lancashire Youth councillors were elected earlier this year.

Albia said: "I got involved because I wanted to talk for young people and feel all young people have their own rights."

She added that the Burnley Youth Council now had around 15 members and looking for more.

Albia feels it gives young people aged between 11 and 25 the chance to air their views and work towards improving local facilities for them.

Issues discussed include racism, bullying, sexism, violence and vandalism.

The group meets at the Vanguard Community Centre, Bebbington Close at 6.30pm on Thursdays.