PEOPLE are being urged to get behind a Yeadon schoolgirl in her bid to become Leeds Children’s Mayor.

Freya Richardson, from Rufford Park Primary, is on the shortlist in the competition - following in the footsteps of another pupil from the school, Charlotte Williams, who was voted in as children's mayor last year.

Freya’s manifesto, along with those of the other nine shortlisted finalists, can be found on the Breeze website at http://www.breezeleeds.org/pg/228/Leeds_Children's_Mayor. All votes must be cast by 5pm on Monday, November 4. Voters must be 19 or under.

Otley and Yeadon councillor Ryk Downes met with pupils at the school after learning that Freya had been shortlisted.

"I loved going back again this year to meet with the pupils at Rufford Park Primary School and hear Freya’s ideas about how she would make our city more child friendly," he said. " All the children were very enthusiastic, which is great to see."

"The Children’s Mayor competition allows year six pupils from across Leeds to put forward their own proposals about how they would improve Leeds if they were selected for the role. Freya’s manifesto puts forward the idea of bringing children together to share their hobbies in a regular, safe and fun event.

"From this, she hopes to grow it so that children can learn new skills from each other, discover what they are good at and even get advice from people working in different sectors to see how they can turn their hobbies into real careers when they are older."

He added: "I would like to urge all local children and families to follow the internet link above and vote for Freya to become the next Leeds Children’s Mayor."