If you’re young, care about where you live and could represent the views of thousands you could be Newham’s next Young Mayor.

Nominations for the position opened on September 10 and will close on September 24.

To stand, you must live in the borough, be aged between 14 and 18. You will also need to collect 50 signatures of support from friends and get permission from your parent/carer, school, college or youth organisation.

You have to apply online at www.newham.gov.uk/youngmayor.

The Young Mayor scheme is in its sixth year and provides a platform for the views and opinions of the borough’s 25,000 young people.

He is also supported by a team of youth councillors who are the eyes and ears of the programme. In their schools, colleges and through their networks they present the issues that matter and feed them back to the Young Mayor.

This year, for the first time, you can also stand as a youth councillor without having to go through the Young Mayor nomination process.

Last year, 15-year-old Abraham Male from Kingsford Community School was elected as Newham’s fifth young mayor. He won the election on his manifesto to promote the 2012 Olympic values of determination and excellence as well as ensuring that the message about the positive impact young people can make is spread through the borough.