YOUNG people in Amesbury are being given the chance to play a greater role in the life of the town and have a voice on the town council.

Formal approval has been given by town councillors to the setting up of a Youth Council with elected members which will report and make recommendations to the full council.

The Youth Council will be a committee of the council, explained Councillor Fred Westmoreland at last week's annual council meeting.

He told councillors: "About a year ago, through the police liaison body, a youth group was formed which has become very useful.

"There are a number of young people in Amesbury who want to help us. It is time we treated the young people in a way they deserve.

"We don't know how anyone under 15 thinks, in spite of the fact that we think we do.

"I know there are those who are unhappy about having un-elected members sitting around this table but these young people will be elected through youth groups, organisations around the town."

Mr Westmoreland said the Youth Council representative will sit in the main body of the council chamber and make reports and recommendations to the council.

He said: "I don't know what will come of it or what the response will be, but unless we do it and try, we will never know."

Councillor Jan Swindlehurst said the young people were the future of the town and the town council should make sure the young people knew that councillors were aware of that fact.

Councillor Richard Crook said he was supportive, providing they "don't sit around the table with the same voice as an elected member."

Mr Westmoreland said the idea is that the chairman of the Youth Council will present minutes to the town council or to a committee of the council.