A TAVISTOCK College student has been elected as a youth MP following a month of campaigning.

Isobel Martin, 14, was voted in as Member of the UK Youth Parliament (MYP) for Devon North, West and Torridge at a countywide event in Exeter.

Isobel said: 'My youth club told me about the elections and I decided to go to Exeter for a meeting. They taught us how to write a manifesto and run a campaign.

'My main policies were cheaper transport for young people and lower university fees. I was really shocked to win; I didn't think I'd got in as the voting pack was delayed by two weeks because of the snow.'

Voting ran throughout January, before Devon's new MYPs were named in a ceremony in February. Isobel will represent the area's young people for the next year.

She said every youth club, guide and scout group got a pack with voting slips and the candidates encouraged their friends to vote for them.

Devon's MYPs will take part in a team building week in Cornwall to get to know one another and discuss how to campaign for lower transport costs.

'I follow politics and what goes on,' said Isobel. 'But I'm not sure if I want to go into it as a career.'

Her tutor, Alicia McKeown, said Isobel's class was extremely proud of her.

'Isobel has done very well to get elected. We all wish her the best of luck and hope she has the opportunity to make a real change for young people in the area.'

The UK Youth Parliaments gives eleven to 18-year-olds the chance to have their voices heard. There are 600 elected MYPs who organise events and campaigns and try to influence national and local politicians.