AN AMBITIOUS Barrhead student has pledged to work in the Scottish Youth Parliament to ensure local people get jobs in the town's new Asda store. Christopher Quinn, 20, pictured left, is set to be elected to the SYP and top of his list of priorities is making sure young people from the area are given the chance of a job in the planned supermarket.

Christopher, who is in third year of a degree in politics and social policy at the University of the West of Scotland, is one of three young people from East Renfrewshire about to become Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament.

Joining him are Nicole Dempster, 16, from Newton Mearns, and Neil Wood, 14, from Neilston.

Christopher said: "I'd like to work to make sure the jobs are filled by local people - 200 jobs are a lot and would really benefit the town. This is giving an opportunity for young people to find work, either full time or a part-time job to support their studies. It could make a real difference to them, give them the chance to earn a living." Christopher said he's interested in becoming a MSYP because he is keen to give young people in East Renfrewshire a voice.

"I've always been involved in working with young people. That's why I'm doing this, so they feel like they're being heard. I want to hear what they have to say - what issues they are talking about and what concerns they have." The Scottish Youth Parliament was set up in 1999. Its members are aged between 14 and 25 and are democratically elected.

It aims to listen and recognise issues that are most important to young people across Scotland and ensures their voices are heard by decision makers.

Members are elected for two years and the next term begins in April. East Renfrewshire has three seats in the SYP. As there are only three candidates standing, all three will be automatically elected.