PEEBLES is the first and only town in the Borders to have a 16-year-old on its community council.

Councillors unanimously agreed that the youth of Peebles should be given a voice and a platform on which to present their views.

And Peebles High School pupil Ben Durkin, who is the new minutes secretary, hopes that other towns in the Borders will follow suit.

"Community councils should definitely appoint a school member, " said the Peebles High fifth year. "I think being able to represent the younger population is very important for several reasons.

"Firstly, we are a large part of the community, so we should have a say in what changes there are to be within it as they can affect us as much as any other person. 

"Secondly I think that young people are often not only ignored but discriminated against, as people assume we have nothing to put forward and whatever we will

say is probably naive and inexperienced. 

"This is certainly not the case for the large majority of young people; maybe not everything we say is correct and maybe it can be flawed, but that is the same for any generation."

Ben already has his plate rather full as he's currently studying five highers in English, Maths, Chemistry, Physics, and Biology, but is willing to take on this extra community responsibility on behalf of his peers.

"To know what is going on in the local community and be part of the decisions is a very exciting and rewarding experience," Ben added.

"One of the community councillors said to me that they really struggle to get any idea of what the current situation is like for young people, and its almost impossible to get views from our perspective.

"I hope that I and others can provide that for the council so that this significant segment of the population is included in decisions that affect us."