The young people of Newham elected Rebekah Dike as their new Young Mayor at Old Town Hall Stratford on Wednesday.

Rebekah, a 14-year-old student at Little Ilford School in Manor Park, won the right to represent young people in the borough with 984 votes against 23 candidates.

Her Deputy will be 15-year-old Trieu Ho from Cumberland School who received 930 votes,

A total of 13,422 young people aged 11 to 18 who live, work, or study in Newham turned out to vote, the highest figure since the Young Mayor scheme began in 2007.

Newham Council allocate a budget of �25,000 to the Young Mayor and she, along with her Deputy and a Youth Council of 53, decide how to distribute the money to local projects for young people.

Rebekah said: “I am so excited to be the new Young Mayor of Newham and will work with the Youth Council to deliver my promises.

“I want to thank everyone who has supported me throughout my campaign and I look forward to working with Newham Council to make Newham a truly fantastic place for young people.”

Thanking all the young people involved in the process, Newham Mayor Sir Robin Wales said: “We are delighted to see so many young people participating in local democracy and look forward to this continuing for many years.

“Congratulations to Rebekah Dike. I have no doubt that she will go on to be a great Young Mayor for Newham and I wish her all the best in the coming year.”