AT only 15-years-old Imogen Walsh beat four other candidates to be named Warrington's member of Youth Parliament.

Now 18 months into her role, the Lymm High School pupil is still campaigning for more young people to get involved in politics and to drive change in Warrington.

Imogen, from Grappenhall, is currently taking her A-levels and has her sights set on a career in politics.

Imogen, now 16, said: "I help organise the youth council in Warrington and we have been running campaigns throughout the year.

"Our mental health campaign at the start of this year aimed to remove stigmas surrounding mental illnesses.

"We made posters and they hid people's faces and had a positive message about mental health so it highlighted how it could be anyone who is dealing with it.

"Highlighting facts such as one in four people suffer from mental health problems, we got these posters up in health centres around Warrington."

The youth council is now starting 'A Curriculum for Life' – a national campaign by Youth Parliament.

Imogen said: "We're making small educational videos about what the curriculum misses out such as budgeting, politics, sex and relationships and how to handle a payslip."

It is hoped this campaign will prepare young people in Warrington for adult life.

Each year the largest youth referendum in Europe takes place and people decide what the Youth Parliament should campaign for.

The youth council is now encouraging young people to vote in the Make Your Mark ballot, the largest consultation of young people aged 11 to 18 in Europe.

The top five most voted issues are taken to parliament where they are debated by members of Youth Parliament.

Imogen will debate again in November and will get to visit the House of Commons for a third time.

She said: "It is absolutely amazing, John Bercow chairs the debate and he's really lovely!

"We meet twice a year and he gives a speech about young people in politics at each debate.

"We also have a conference every year where we create a manifesto so this year I spoke about period poverty and the motion passed so that made it as an option on the ballot this year."

Last year, Warrington ranked 10th in the country for percentage turnout with 57 per cent of young people voting.

Imogen added: "It is so hard to reach young people so it was a great achievement but we would like to improve it this year."

Whichever school or youth group gets the highest percentage turnout in the Make Your Mark vote will win an award from the youth council.

Imogen makes it clear that the youth council is open to anyone with an interest in making a change in Warrington.

She said: "You don't have to understand politics to come to our meetings. I didn't, I just wanted to change things for young people in Warrington.

"There were lots of things I wasn't happy with, we had come back from a university open day and we were complaining about the buses.

"The teacher said 'stop complaining if you're really that bothered you should go and do something about it' and so I did."

Imogen remains in her position until March, serving two years.

The group meet every Thursday at the Warrington Youth Cafe from 6.30pm until 9pm - it is open to everyone aged 11 to 19 and 25 for those with learning difficulties.

If you would like to get involved with the Warrington Youth Council and find out more, get in touch via their Facebook page, Impact - Warrington Youth Council.