Award-winning youth newspaper projects by the Bolton Evening News are making history with the launch of a national publication for the United Kingdom Youth Parliament (UKYP).

The BEN was approached to produce a youth newspaper, to be distributed nationally to mark the first sitting of the parliament.

The parliament held its inaugural meeting in February, and is made up of elected representatives from around the country, all aged between 11 and 18.

Editor-in-chief of the BEN Mark Rossiter said: “The first sitting of the UKYP is both exciting and important. I am delighted the BEN can play such a key role in producing its national youth newspaper.

“Those who have given up trying to attract young readers should think again. There’s an intelligent and voracious audience out there… but we have to make them feel involved and deliver material that’s relevant to their lifestyle and mirrors their aspirations.”

The Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs) worked with special projects editor Angelina Lombardo, BEN reporter Alison Barton and photographer Sean Wilton to produce the newspaper.

It is hoped the special parliament will encourage young people to take an interest in politics, vote in elections when they are old enough and have their opinions on issues that matter to them heard by Government.

The project has the full backing of Tony Blair and of political party leaders William Hague and Charles Kennedy – although it is strictly non-party political.

The BEN had its involvement with youth newspapers recognised by Gannett, the parent company of newspaper owners Newsquest, when the paper was honoured along with USA Today in the group’s innovation awards.

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