Development body Aberdeen City and Shire Economic Future (Acsef) has asked three teenagers to become its “youth champions” for the region.

Paul Robertson, Michael Metcalfe and Sean Press have been given the task of helping to ensure that young people are given a voice as the north-east’s economy continues to flourish.

The trio were appointed to the new roles after submitting manifestos to Acsef following its “youth summit” in February.

Mr Robertson is a 19-year-old politics student at Aberdeen University and lives in the west end of the city.

He is a former chairman of Aberdeen City Youth Council and has been given overall responsibility for representing young people on the Acsef board.

“Together we can really work towards helping to solve some of the issues that we face and ensure that young people make an effective contribution to the future success of our region,” Mr Robertson said.

Michael Metcalfe is a 17-year-old Fraserburgh Academy pupil and lives at Crimond. He will represent young people in Aberdeenshire and campaign on rural issues.

He would like to meet business leaders in the Banff and Buchan area to seek their support for developing more leisure activities outside of Aberdeen.

Michael said: “I want to ensure that my generation, and the generations to follow, stay in this area and make it flourish.

“We can make a major difference by listening to what young people want.”

Sean Press, 16, lives at Kingswells, attends Robert Gordon’s College and is the current chairman of Aberdeen City Youth Council.

He is keen to address issues relating to the city centre in Aberdeen.

Sean said: “I believe we need to break down the ageist view that most young people are unruly. This has largely come about because of boredom due to a lack of facilities apart from pubs in the city centre.”

As well as attending Acsef events and meetings, the champions will gain experience by shadowing the group’s development manager, Rita Stephen.

She said: “Over 1,500 businesses have helped shape our action plan for 2025, based on their needs and ambitions. However, it is our 16-to-24-year-olds that will realise these goals as they are the business and civic leaders of the future.

“The creation of the youth-champion position allows us to take a step closer to realising the ambition of a stronger economy and a greater quality of life.

“Paul, Michael and Sean are all great ambassadors for today’s youth and I want to encourage young men and women from any walk of life to follow in their footsteps and get involved in the region’s future.”