Current Young Mayor Nicki Orridge (15), has been the town's Young Mayor for the past year and has helped with a number of youth projects.

Youth Champion and former mayor Pam Posnett said: "This initiative is a great way of giving the young people of the borough a chance to get their views and opinions heard."

The roll of the Young Mayor is to be the voice of young people in the borough. Nicki, a pupil at King Edward VII School, meets with the council and serves on County Youth Council Leicestershire (CYCLe). Alongside Melton Youth Council, she has also arranged young people's discos and visited HMS Quorn.

Nicki said: "My year has been very exciting, although sometimes challenging it has given me a lot of experience and helped me achieve a number of things. My highlightwas taking part in the Melton Times' Junior Question Time event at Melton Theatre with MP Alan Duncan."

Voting for the Young Mayor will take place in local schools later this month and the result will be declared on October 17 at the Melton Youth Conference.

Mrs Posnett added: "This is a great chance to get your views heard. If you feel strongly about Melton issues and would like to see progress on your ideas, this is your opportunity."

If you are aged between 14 and 17 and live or go to school in Melton borough then you can stand for election to become the new Young Mayor. Applications can be submitted by calling (01664) 414191 or by e-mailing youngmayor4melton@melton.gov.uk