An 18-year-old pupil has become Labour’s youngest election candidate to contest a Keighley district seat.

Luke Maunsell – who is studying for history, geography and English A-levels at Oakbank School in Keighley – has been chosen to fight Craven ward in the Bradford Council elections on May 22.

“I am delighted to have been selected,” said Luke, who turned 18 last October.

“Politics affects all of our lives, whether we are 18 or 88.

“I hope the fact I am standing will make young people in Keighley think for a moment about how great a thing having the right to vote is and how we should never take it for granted.

“I think it would be good for Bradford Council to have more young councillors to give a different perspective.”

The selection of Luke – who lives at Calton Street in Keighley – has been praised by the town’s prospective parliamentary Lab-our candidate, John Grogan.

And he hopes to encourage more young people to use their vote at the next general election in 2015.

“I am sure Luke has got a good future in politics ahead of him,” said Mr Grogan.

“Sadly, at the last general election, only 44 per cent of young people aged between 18 and 24 used their vote.

“I would like to see all schools doing more to teach the basics of our democracy and political system to students as they get close to the age of their first vote.

“I, myself, shall be writing to all young people in Keighley constituency, who are studying away at university or college but whose families live in the area, encouraging them to consider applying for a postal vote in good time for next year’s general election.”