TEENAGER Kira Lewis has given a speech in Parliament thanking junior doctors who taught life-saving CPR to school students during their recent strike.

Kira, the Member of the UK Youth Parliament for Taunton Deane and West Somerset, was among 279 young people in the House of Commons debating key issues voted on by 11 to 18-year-olds.

Topics covered included lowering the voting age to 16, transport and having a curriculum that includes politics, finance and better sex and relationship studies - policies emanating from a nationwide consultation last month.

Kira, and fellow elected Somerset MYPs Chelsea White (Sedgemoor and Mendip), and Jessica Hill (South Somerset), had the opportunity to speak on behalf of the county and the South West.

While Chelsea highlighted the importance of better rural transport funding for young people in further education, Jessica mentioned the importance of youth engagement in politics and Kira focused on the impact of mental health service cuts on young people's wellbeing.