Local teenager Max Kelly is making history as one of Cambridgeshire's youngest ever election candidates. Mr Kelly is standing as the Labour candidate for the Chatteris division in June's County Council elections.

At just 18 years and nine months, he is not only likely to be the county's youngest political candidate, but also likely to be one of the youngest across the UK - and the teenager has even been touted as a future leading light in the Cambridgeshire political scene.

Mr Kelly said "For a long time I have enjoyed debating issues that affect my life and those of other people in my local community, so I thought I'd take the next step and turn my thoughts into actions."

He has been helping with Labour Party campaigns for last few years, and has canvassed and leafleted throughout Chatteris.

Mr Kelly believes that young people should embrace the Government's decision to reduce the minimum age to stand in elections from 21 to 18 - through the Electoral Administration Act 2006.

He added: "I'm not like most of the candidates who are hoping to be elected across Cambridgeshire, for a start I'm well below the average age, and although experience is always important, I believe I can bring a fresh perspective for people who do not usually get involved in the local political process.

"With decisions being made on regular basis that will affect people for decades to come, I hope that if elected I can represent the views of the younger generations that are growing up in communities up and down the county."

Peter Roberts, Labour's Parliamentary spokesperson for North East Cambridgeshire said "Max is a great example of the positive role that young people can take in our community. He has shown a shred awareness of the key issues for such a young man, and bucks the stereotype of young people not being interested in politics. It is a credit to Chatteris that they have someone so young trying to improve local facilities and services. He has a very bright future."

Across North East Cambridgeshire the Labour Party are standing candidates for every vacancy in the upcoming County Council elections. This is more than double the number from the previous election, held on the same day as the 2005 General Election, when Labour contested 6 of the 13 seats.

Peter Roberts added "I am really pleased we have a strong team of really good council candidates this year, who are all keen to work hard for their communities. The fact that we have a full slate of candidates shows that the Labour Party in North East Cambridgeshire is in good health and getting stronger."

For a full list of Labour candidates in North East Cambridgeshire click here

Promoted by Lewis William Purt, 1 Hereward Road, Wisbech, Cambs PE13 2HA on behalf of Max Kelly, 84 Bridge Street, Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, PE16 6RN, Hosted by Tangent Labs, 32-42 East Road, London, N1 6AD