Young star to watch

11 May 2006

Tired but happy: Mapesbury's Lib Dem victors, from left, Sami Hashmi, Chris Leaman and Hayley Matthews with Brent East MP Sarah Teather

MAPESBURY is the home to the borough's youngest councillor who hopes to inject politics with youthfulness.

Hayley Matthews, 22, will be the official baby within the council chambers after winning her Liberal Democrat seat from the mixed Labour and Conservative ward.

The production assistant excitedly told the Times how she can't wait to get her teeth into council and community matters including working with children not much younger than her.

She said: "Apart from carrying out our manifesto, I want to put a lot of work into the youth services, community groups and work with young people a lot. As a young person the idea of an approachable young councillor should hopefully encourage young kids to get involved.

"I'm really excited and I can't wait to get stuck in. I've lived a long time in Mapesbury, it's my home and I want to put something back into the community."

Sarah Teather, who was the UK's youngest MP when she won the Brent East by-election three years ago, is backing Cllr Matthews as a rising star.

She said: "She is very active, very committed and will be an outstanding councillor.