THE young people of Cricklade will have more of a voice than ever before if a group of campaigners have their way.

A meeting has been called on Sunday to discuss the setting up of a youth council.

Aimed at young people aged 11 to 19, it would give extra weight to users' views on youth activities and facilities.

Town councillor Richard Roberts, heavily involved with youth issues in the town, backs the idea.

He helped skateboarders present their arguments for a local skatepark during a recent town council meeting, and believes a youth council would be of great value.

The skatepark campaigners' speeches at the meeting earlier this week were so well presented that they drew applause from the audience and even from people with reservations about such a park going ahead.

Coun Roberts said: "We hope as many people as possible will attend the meeting at 3pm on Sunday at the Vale of White Horse Social Club."

He added that a youth council would be run by young people to voice the views of young people in Cricklade.

Leaflets are being distributed throughout the community to publicise the meeting and the proposed youth council.

Each leaflet also includes a questionnaire asking people whether they feel there are enough youth facilities in Swindon, what facilities they would like to see and whether they have used the existing ones.

The questionnaire, to be handed in anonymously at the meeting, or posted at the youth centre or the Town Hall Annexe, also asks young people whether they feel adults have difficulty understanding their concerns, and what could be done to improve that problem.

The meeting on Sunday will include free refreshments and be followed by a game of skittles, also free.