Workington's newest councillor says he will fight the corner of young people.

Keswick School sixth form student Matthew Suddart, of Birch Close, will represent Moorclose on Workington Town Council after winning a by-election on Thursday night.

He has represented Allerdale and Copeland on the UK Youth Parliament since last year and, at 18 years old, is the youngest councillor in the town.

Mr Suddart, who took 279 votes, said: "If you look at the town council and councils in general across the country, they are quite old and you don't really get much youth representation.

"I thought I should put myself forward to be an advocate for young people.

"In Moorclose there isn't much for children to do, whereas when I was growing up there was loads with the swimming baths and sports centre.

"I haven't done it for myself, I've done it for my brother and children like him.

"He's 12 and I see him growing up in Moorclose and there's not a lot for him."

Mr Suddart, who is also an intern at The Herringbone Consultancy in Cockermouth, was inspired to join the Labour Party after he was left disappointed by the 2015 General Election result.

He has made a working partnership with Moorclose Community Centre one of his main priorities.

He added: "I'll be trying to be the most proactive councillor that I can be and if anyone has any concerns, I'm happy to raise them at council."

He plans to set up a Facebook page for people to contact him.

John Bracken came second in the by-election with 100 votes.

Mr Suddart added: "Thanks to everyone that voted, not just for me but for John Bracken as well, because it was a wet day.

"I thought it was going to be very close but it was a bigger margin than I expected.

"It was the first count I'd been to so I didn't know what to expect.

"My votes were piling up a lot faster than John's so it was looking promising.

"When they announced it there was obviously joy but a bit of relief as well."