Young people, aged 13 to 21, are being invited to an open event this week to hear about the work of Dorchester Youth Council.

The informal, drop-in, is being held between 4.30pm and 5.30pm at the Borough Gardens House on Thursday, December 13th.

Said a town council spokesman: “Would you like to have more say about what happens in the town and decisions that are being made? Perhaps you have a project or event that you would like to see happening that will benefit the local community?”

The group meet monthly to preview items on the agenda for council meetings and to give councillors their views. In addition, the group are supported to put on their own events and activities.

To date these have included: advising the council on the type of play equipment to buy; Introducing dog waste collection bags in some of the town’s open spaces; visiting the Houses of Parliament and meeting with Oliver Letwin MP'; responding to consultations such as what should go on The Great Field at Poundbury and applying for funding and running a successful event in the Borough Gardens commemorating a 100 years since some women got the vote.

In the coming year the Youth Council will be working on a special project to help Dorchester achieve ‘Plastic Free’ status.

The Youth Council meet six times a year for an hour or so with the opportunity offering experience of community involvement and personal development.

Existing Youth Councillors and Town Councillors will be at Thursday's event to explain more about the benefits of becoming a Youth Councillor.

For more information, contact Steve Newman, Deputy Town Clerk, Dorchester Town Council on telephone 01305 266861 or email s.newman@dorchester-tc.gov.uk