Young representatives from across the Bradford district have revealed they will use their voice to tackle the problem of drug pushers and vandalism.

Speaking at their first session in the Council Chamber of City Hall on Saturday, members of Bradford and Keighley Youth Parliament revealed the key issues affecting young people.

Representing Bradford North, Bradford West, Bradford South, Shipley and Keighley, a spokesman for each constituency also said lack of facilities and youth clubs was a problem. They said they will work with other agencies, such as Bradford Council, to look at ways to address their wish-list.

Chairman Peter Cairns said it would take time to make changes. "We are the next generation of Bradford and Keighley and hopefully we are going to make many changes," he said.

"Our main aim is to have many cultures and many races but just one Bradford.

"We are pleased that young people have been given this chance to change the district and we want to get as many young people involved in what we are doing."

The members agreed two of them would represent the district at the United Kingdom Youth Parliament in London and the other two seats would be given to non-members.

Bradford councillors, parents and youth workers sat in on the meeting but no-one over 25 had permission to speak. Before the session Council leader Councillor Margaret Eaton gave the young people tips on public speaking. "I wanted to wish them well and I realise how daunting it can be to speak publicly," she said.

"The youth parliament has the potential to do a great deal of good and we will be working closely with them and helping them wherever we can."

Almost 6,500 11 to 25-year-olds cast their votes for 50 candidates in the same age range at polling booths in schools and community centres across the district in September last year.

The members then held a series of forums - attended by more than 700 young people - to find out what changes they wanted to see.