Cllr Sally Robertson voted as youth favourite

After two weeks of gruelling interviews, web chats and school visits, county youngsters have voted with their mouse and chosen their favourite Herefordshire councillor.

Six Herefordshire councillors spent a week back in the classroom at a number of local schools visiting students followed by a week answering loads of questions online from the pupils.

Some of the councillors also went on the live chat line and were bombarded with questions which covered a wide range of topics.

The questions included: "Why did you want to be a councillor" "Do you lead a normal lifestyle or a complicated one?" "What do you think about bullying and do you think we can stop it," and "Are there any times you want to give up".

Other questions asked about their opinion on the stereotype of teenagers, recycling, should youngsters play more sport in school and even if they speak Welsh.

They then faced being voted off in Herefordshire's first "I'm a councillor get me out of here" event.

Every day this week (w/c Mon, Oct 13), the students have voted for the person they would like to win with the councillor receiving the lowest vote each day evicted.

This afternoon, Friday October 17, after a nail-biting wait, the last on-line votes were cast and Cllr Sally Robertson was officially declared the "youth champion" for Herefordshire after securing more votes than runner-up Cllr Alan Taylor.

"I'd like to thank all the schools and students and my fellow councillors for their enthusiasm and willingness to take part - it was a really valuable experience," said Cllr Robertson.

"Important issues came forward, with bullying, transport and youth facilities being the three main concerns.

"We thoroughly enjoyed the visits to schools and it was particularly interesting and fun for us to meet so many students," added Cllr Robertson, who is chairman of the council's children's scrutiny committee.

"I'd like to invite students to come and see how the scrutiny process works within the council as school transport and youth provision are on the work programme so students' input would be very valuable."

Cllr Robertson said she would like to return to the schools who took part to revisit the key concerns and get feedback from the students.

"I'm particularly keen to support young people who have ideas about what facilities they would like in their areas and help them secure funding and I intend to ask if I can visit the Youth Council so I can work with them on some actual projects."

All the councillors said they enjoyed taking part in "I'm a councillor get me out of here," and they feel that one of the most successful aspects were the visits to schools.