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What were you doing when you were 19?

The chances are you weren't standing to be a councillor.

But there is a solid cohort of youngsters vying for your vote on Thursday across Teesside.

One of them is Acklam's Edward Clynch - 19 years young.

The Labour candidate is pitting himself against Independent Ron Arundale, Conservative Bradley Nicholson, Liberal Democrat Michael Tomlin and Independent Jim Platt.

And it's the first election he'll be able to vote in.

"It's a double whammy," said the Durham University student.

"I've been interested in local politics since I was about 11 - that was to do with the dispute over green space at the Acklam Hall development.

"I've been a member of the Labour Party since I was 15. Standing was something I always wanted to do."

More than a quarter of councillors in England are over 70.

And figures from the Local Government Association (LGA) show the average age of an elected member had risen from 57.8 to 59.4 in the past 15 years.

Hours are long and the public can be unforgiving.

But Mr Clynch said he thought he had what it took to do the job - and he believed being a teenager could offer a different view.

He added: "There seems to be an idea it's old people against young people - and there tend to be assumptions that all younger people are involved in anti-social behaviour or they turn a blind eye.

"I think it's important to clearly say a young person is taking a stand and disagrees with it vehemently."

Voice of youth

Keeping lines of communication open between older and younger folk is easier said than done.

Mr Clynch was keen to change "negative perceptions" of Middlesbrough and it was important young people had a voice on the council.

One place there is a voice for young people is on Stockton Council and its youth assembly - now known as the "Big Committee".

The Big Committee has a cabinet and has sought to influence decisions of developments in the town - such as the new pocket park planned for the former Glam nightclub - to give youngsters a say.

Owen Riddle's a touch older at 23.

He's standing in Bishopsgarth and Elm Tree - and says he's on the ballot because he was "fed up" with the state of politics and "bemused" at how young people and other were being treated.

The Labour candidate said: "Young people have bore the brunt of government cuts nationally as well as to council budgets.

"Every community centre closed and library threatened is a sign that young people are being failed.

"Every school struggling, graduates and non-graduates with no chance of progression and young people living in food and period poverty is a sign this government are failing young people still."

Mr Riddle has worked in the NHS and was born and raised in Stockton.

He studied history at Newcastle University and has held down academic posts.

Despite his age, he believed he had the experience to take on a job as councillor.

Mr Riddle added: "If you don't have this variety of representation then politics will just be an echo-chamber when it should be the job of politicians, especially at a local level to engage and listen to everyone.

"On the doorstep I've had a really positive response. More so than I expected.

"I think for a lot of people it's sadly a bit of a pleasant surprise to see a younger person standing in front of them.

"I've simply been told how "it's nice to see".

"We've been told how refreshing it is with people keen to find out why I'm standing and great number of people in the ward supporting various parties have wished me luck."

Abuse, hate mail and insults

The Labour pair both believe they can unite their respective wards.

But being a councillor isn't sunshine and roses.

The build up to the local election has been marred by cases of abuse, hate mail and insults.

However, Mr Clynch said he'd had a good response on the doorstep - even if some answering the door were surprised by his age.

He added: "It's nicer to see a fresher face rather than just the same old faces."

However, young people are only donning red rosettes.

Conservative Jordan Turner is a former Bydales school pupil who now performs as a professional singer and musician.

He is also the son of Steve Turner - who is member for Longbeck.

The 21-year-old said: "All I’ve ever really known our area being run by Labour and I think it’s time we had the chance to see what fresh ideas a Conservative led council would give us.

"Personally I’d like to show other young people that being a councillor isn’t just for retired, older people.

"I want them to know that they have someone inside the system who will listen to them and understand that their priorities will sometimes be very different to the current councillors that represent them.

"I want to be their voice.“

Tory candidate Kieran Janicki, 19, is going for the same seat in Marske.

He's been working since he was 16 at the National Citizen Service in Redcar and East Cleveland.

And told the Local Democracy Reporting Service his decision to stand was "spur of the moment".

Mr Janicki said: "Being a councillor is one of those things that requires a lot of confidence - especially when you're young.

"I do see myself as a role model because I've made the step to stand and I'd like other people to take that step."

The teenager, who lives in Loftus but has close ties to Marske, said he'd noticed a number of things in his area which needed sorting out.

And he believed a young councillor would be able to do more than someone in their 80s.

Mr Janicki added: "Campaigning and canvassing gives you a real buzz and it's completely different to how I thought it would be.

"There have been a few shocked faces when I come to their door.

"They see a 19-year-old and maybe think he's immature - but if you speak to people they are very supportive in the sense they haven't just shoved me away and said 'whatever you're only 19'.

"If young and old work together, you can make a difference."

Polling stations are open between 7am and 10pm on Teesside on Thursday.

Stockton - Bishopsgarth and Elm Tree

Sharon Elizabeth Bailey - Labour

Julia May Cherrett - Liberal Democrats

Sandra Elizabeth Gibson - UKIP

Miranda Chloe Isabelle Jupp - Conservative

David Christopher Luigi Minchella - Liberal Democrats

Owen Craig Riddle - Labour

David John Smith - Conservative

Middlesbrough - Kader ward

Ron Arundale - Independent

Edward Clynch - Labour

Rahana Islam - Labour

Bradley Nicholson - Conservative

Jim Platt - Independent

Michael John Tomlin - Liberal Democrat

St Germain's - Redcar and Cleveland

Helena Margaret Archer - Independent

Brian Dennis - Labour

Deborah Lynne Dowson - Liberal Democrats

Kieran Mitchell Janicki - Conservative

Daniel Johns - Labour

Karen King - Liberal Democrats

John Michael Lawrenson - Labour

Jordan Ronald Turner - Conservative

Olwyn Twentyman - Conservative

Margaret Wilson - Liberal Democrats

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