TWO Wee County teens have been elected to the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) to serve for the Clackmannanshire and Dunblane ward.

Alloa's Sebastian Richardson, 14, and Alva's Kaitlin Paterson, 17, both came out on top in the recent election, with the third and final candidate Jordan Paterson, 14, just missing out.

Out of a total of 1,352 valid votes, Sebastian received 674, Kaitlin took 357 and Jordan earned 321.

The results were announced by the council's education services manager, Lorraine Sanda, during an event at Kilncraigs on Friday, March 29.

The pair will now have a place on the SYP for the next two years, where they can act as the democratic voice of the Wee County's young people.

Sebastian, from Alloa Academy, said: "I actually wasn't expecting to be elected, but to find out I have been, I'm just very excited.

"The issues I mostly want to focus on are education and young people's rights."

Kaitlin, who is currently in employment and hopes to soon go to college, was also surprised with the results.

She said: "I didn't believe it – I'm just really in shock.

"I want to focus on mental health, the minimum wage and equalities.

"It's something I've always cared about, so I'll be taking that forward."

Sebastian and Kaitlin will replace the outgoing members of the SYP (MSYPs) for Clacks and Dunblane, Huw Sherrard and Stephanie Davies.

Councillor Bill Mason, who attended the results event, spoke directly to the newly elected MSYPs.

He said: "I would just like to offer sincere congratulations to our new parliamentarians and the very best of luck to the time that they are spending on behalf of the youth, and all of us in the county.

Cllr Mason told the duo: "I'm delighted to be here to see you all and I wish everybody the very best of luck; give us a call if you think we can help at any time and we'll be delighted to sit down and have a blether with you."

The SYP is a politically independent organisation that aims to represent the young people of Scotland.

It is made up of around 150 young people, aged between 14 and 25, who represent constituencies in all 32 local authorities across Scotland.

To find out more information about the work of the Syp, visit syp.org.uk