TWO South Cumbria candidates are vying for a seat in the UK Youth Parliament elections which draw to a close today. 

Bethany Thornton, 15, of Barrow, and Lucia Harrington, 16, of Cartmel are contesting the Barrow and South Lakes District seat in the election. 

Young people are voting for three youth MPs to represent them in the South, West and North areas of Cumbria. Three deputies will also be appointed. 

Those elected will find out the concerns and needs of other young people in their constituency, and represent these views to decision makers on a local, regional and national levels.

Bethany is a student at Furness Academy. She has been a member of Furness Youth Council for four years. Bethany's campaign interests are mental health, body shaming and encouraging volunteering in young people.

Bethany said: "Politics has been a passion of mine for a long time. Young people need a voice in today’s political arena and an outstanding one too. I want to be that voice. I want to campaign about issues that affect young people, and giving young people a voice is what I aim to do because everyone deserves to have their say in political issue that will influence them and their future, to be represented." 

Lucia Harrington, is a student at Cartmel CE Priory School and a member of the Lakeland Youth Council for three years. She worked on project to improve a youth mental health support facility.

Lucia said: "The reason I would like to become a member of youth parliament is that I would really like to do my bit to help people in Cumbria. Being a young person in Cumbria, I've seen a lot of the problems young people face and I just want to do my best to find a solution to those problems. I would also like have the opportunity to help young people get their voices heard."

The new Barrow and South Lakes youth MP and deputy will replace Tom Latham, of Kendal, and his deputy Will Adams, of Barrow who have held the roles since December 2014.    

Voting for young people closes at 5pm today at http://www.mi-event.info/event/ccc16 

The result is expected to be announced next week.