A SWANAGE Middle School pupil has been voted by her classmates to run for the 2013 UK Youth Parliament.

Alania Lawton, aged 12, will battle it out in the county elections, set for February 7, in the bid to become a Dorset representative in the Youth Parliament.

If successful, Alania will become one of the hundreds of MYPs who meet MPs, local councillors, hold debates and ensure the views of young people are listened to by decision makers.

Alania has already been busy putting together her manifesto, attending meetings and filming her election DVD.

She’s also spoken in assemblies at local schools to get her message across.

The three main points to Alania’s manifesto are to increase the number of cycling lanes locally, to secure brighter or increased street lighting and to provide more facilities for young people.

Alania said: “I am passionate about all these points and would love to be able to put them forward.

“I believe that listening to young people’s views is really important too and if elected, that is something that I would do.”