Politicians of the future vowed to give the young people of Bradford a voice as the district's new youth parliament was voted in at the weekend.

Thirty youngsters, aged between 11 and 19, took their seats with the newly-formed Bradford and Keighley Youth Parliament (BKYP) after nearly 9,000 young people cast their votes.

A total of 67 candidates stood for election in five constituencies - Bradford North, Bradford South, Bradford West, Shipley and Keighley - mirroring those of the district's MPs.

Bradford North MP Terry Rooney and Shipley colleague Chris Leslie, along with senior local councillors, were present to sing the praises of the budding politicians during an enthusiastic election result ceremony at the Hilton Hotel in Bradford.

Almost 7,000 people aged 11 to 25 had cast their votes at more than 100 polling stations, including youth clubs, libraries and schools. A further 1,800 voted online. In their acceptance speeches the 30 new members, who will sit on the BKYP for two years, praised those who failed to win seats and urged them to support the Youth Parliament.

The BKYP, which has an annual budget of £105,000, paid for from the neighbourhood renewal fund, aims to keep members of Bradford Council in touch with youths and encourage youngsters to take an interest in democracy.

It will debate local issues and form policy suggestions which could eventually influence the decisions of Bradford Council.

Samantha Williams, 14, of Thornton, who won a seat in Bradford West, said the BKYP was important for young people to get their voices heard.

She said: "Most people want a youth centre and I will see if there is anything we can do to get somewhere for them to go and use, so they are not being hassled and told off for hanging around."

Akeel Hussain, 16, of Toller Lane, is following family tradition. His father, Arshad, is a Bradford councillor.

Akeel said: "I wanted to get involved when I heard about it. I see myself going into politics after my dad.

"I want people to come to me. I want to be their voice and if they need something I want to get it."

Fifteen-year-old Awais Ali Zulfiqar, of Manningham, said he wanted to try and reduce racism and bullying.

"These are the big issues causing young people concern. They need someone to speak for them. I intend to talk to young people and get them to fill in questionnaires about what they want," he said.

David Lawson, 15, of Heaton, wants to encourage relations between different ethnic communities and provide somewhere clean and safe for young people to go.

He said: "I will be there to listen to people, take on board what they say and make a difference.

"Some young people commit crime because they have nothing to do. If we provide them with things to do they won't commit crime."

Councillor Dale Smith, the Council's executive member for education, said the Council was committed to supporting the Youth Parliament.

"They have a very important job to do as far as we are concerned and we will listen to them," he said.

MP Terry Rooney said those who had not been elected still had a role to play.

He added: "This Parliament represents 150,000 people and you have a real job establishing what they think. The Youth Parliament has made a good start over the last couple of years, but let's try and take it on."

Labour group leader Councillor Ian Greenwood told the youngsters: "Getting elected is the easy part. Delivering on the things you said you would do is the hard part."