If you're aged between 11 and 25, you could soon have the power to make a difference to the lives of young people.

A series of forums are under way to establish an elected body made up of youngsters aged 11 to 25 who will be voted in by their peers at schools, colleges and community groups.

The aim is for the parliament to sit in the Council Chamber at City Hall and have the power to make decisions and rule over a budget set aside by Bradford Council for young people.

The body may also be given the power to hand Investors in Young People awards to deserving businesses.

Council leader Margaret Eaton said it was important young people were positive about the future of the district.

She added: "We have got more young people living in the Bradford district than any other metropolitan area in the country.

"Young people have a right to have their views listened to and acted upon. The parliament is a positive step forward in giving the younger generation a greater say in decision making and contributing to the community.

"This is my personal view - nothing has been decided yet and we can't yet put an amount to the resources that will have available. It is early days."

A number of agencies, including the Council, youth service, social services and the education and health authorities, are involved with the project.

Jan Lee, assistant director of planning for Bradford Health Authority, said she hoped the parliament would have real teeth.

A former assistant head at Belle Vue Girls School, Mrs Lee said: "We are currently in talks with the legal department to see what powers the parliament could be given.

"This is not a token gesture - I have worked with children long enough to know they would be able to see through that.

"The drivers of this project will be the kids themselves. They will decide how it will work and we want to make sure that adults ideas are not imposed on them. We want it to be sustainable so they are going to have to do a lot of groundwork, but hopefully we should have something in place by the spring."

Around 80 children from schools, churches and community groups attended the first forum in December.

Afterwards they handed a list of the things they felt were good and bad about the district to Councillor Eaton.

Among the positive aspects they picked out were Bradford City Football Club, Bradford Bulls, the Alhambra Theatre and the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television. Racism and litter were highlighted as the worst elements.

It is hoped that more than 100 youngsters will attend the next event, at Bradford Health Authority's home at New Mill in Saltaire on January 31 at 2pm.

Joyce Thacker, head of Bradford Youth Service, said: "I think it is inevitable that many of the more confident and articulate people will make themselves heard but we will work hard to make sure everyone has an equal say. For example, if we thought there were not enough people from young disabled groups involved we would do something about that.

"It is a new ball game but we are all really anxious that this works."

Co-organiser Elaine Appelbee, director of Bradford's Health Action Zone, added: "This is a really exciting, pioneering event aimed at finding a way to give young people a say in the future of the district. After all, they will be the leaders of the future."

For more details on joining the forums call (01274) 752111.