Young people in Lewisham have elected a new Young Mayor after a borough-wide election.

Bilvilyn Asamoah, a 13-year-old student at Addey and Stanhope School, was announced as the next Young Mayor on Thursday, February 8 - securing 1,824 votes.

The election, held at local schools and colleges on Wednesday, February 7, witnessed a turnout of 57.46 per cent with 9,485 votes cast for 37 candidates.

From Forest Hill School, Paul Frimpong, aged 14, gained 1,356 votes and was elected as Deputy Young Mayor.

Bilvilyn Asamoah, the newly elected Young Mayor of Lewisham, said: "I want to say thank you to everyone who supported me, I really appreciate it and I’m going to do good things.

"I hope to achieve a better space for young people in Lewisham and increase opportunities so we can all achieve what we want to achieve."

The Young Mayor is chosen to represent the perspectives of young people and ensures their voices are heard by those making decisions.

Supported by young advisers, the Young Mayor has their own budget they can use to turn their ideas into actual projects that improve the borough for those living, studying and growing up there.