A Workington student is itching to make a difference after being elected onto the UK Youth Parliament.

Matthew Suddart, 17, of Birch Close, Workington, has been chosen to represent Allerdale and Copeland.

Matthew, a student at Workington Academy, stood against St Joseph's School pupil Molly Davies, 13, of Chaucer Road, Workington, Jessica Ford-Powell, 15, and Justin Mahone, 17, a student at Lakes College.

Matthew has already started in his role as a member of Youth Parliament and Justin, who received the second-highest number of votes, will be a deputy member of Youth Parliament.

He hopes to help to improve public transport, post-16 options and to play a part in trying to scrap university tuition fees.

Matthew said: "I was shocked really because I didn't think I was going to win.

"The bus journey back was a lot better than it was going there.

"It's a huge honour and probably the best thing I've done. It's an honour to be elected by the people of Cumbria and an honour to represent them.

"Hopefully I'll get more young people involved in politics. There are a lot of young voices that aren't heard."

Matthew has met with Moorclose councillor Denis Robertson and Workington town council clerk Chris Bagshaw.

Matthew will take part in the parliament's annual debate in the House of Commons later this year.

He will also set up a page on social networking site Facebook for people to raise issues and get in contact with him.

Members of Youth Parliament spend a year in office and are expected to dedicate up to five hours a week to the role.

Elections traditionally take place between December and February, but Cumbria's elections were moved due to last year's floods.

Youngsters aged between 11 and 18 who are residents of the UK can run for Youth Parliament and are voted into office in an official election.