AN ENTERPRISING group of young politicians hope to enhance their work in the community after recently starting their own radio show.
Members of the Billericay Youth Town Council will be live on Phoenix 98FM on the first Monday of every month at 8am.
The group, aged between 12 and 17, will play their own choice of music and discuss their work on the council.
They will also make announcements of what's coming up in the area and welcome listeners to call in and offer ideas for charity events.
Youth council chairman Tayler Cronly-Dillon, 18, who attends Mayflower High School in Billericay, has been a member of the council for five years.
She said: "The radio show has been so much fun but we were all a bit nervous when we had the first show but it actually went really well.
"It was myself, the vice chairman James Turner and a couple of the new members, so it was a nice combination of old and new members.
"I really enjoy being on the council because I love helping people and it's a great way of bringing the community together."
Mr Turner, 17, said: "I thought the radio show would be really hard but it was fine in the end and the conversation just flowed.
"I've been a member of the council for four years and have always enjoyed it but being on the radio adds a new spark, we've just had our elections and it's brought in loads of interest."
The Town Council has facilitated an active Youth Town Council for many years. It comprises around 20 young people from local schools and the Billericay area.
Billericay Town Council chairman John Buchanan said: "The Youth Town Council does marvellous work for Billericay.
"Over the years they have initiated many projects including replacing the town's skateboard ramps in the skate park, introducing a multi-sport area and a Jubilee tea party for one of the elderly care homes.
"They've also organised Easter egg hunts for younger people in the community and are currently planning a 'Spring Bash'.
"The party will involve a band and DJ and will be raising funds for the Daisy Palmer Trust.
"This new venture onto radio is very exciting for the Youth Council and it will be a good platform for them to promote their work."
Jules Bottazzi, a director of Phoenix FM, said: "The kids put on a great radio show – many of them are natural entertainers.
"They choose the music and decide what they want to talk about. It's great for raising awareness and just lets people know about the brilliant work they do."
