THEY say a sure sign of getting old is when policeman start to look young. That's also true of councillors - and in the Samford division of South Suffolk a lot of people have been left feeling their age after one election leaflet hit their doorsteps.

THEY say a sure sign of getting old is when policeman start to look young. That's also true of councillors - and in the Samford division of South Suffolk a lot of people have been left feeling their age after one election leaflet hit their doorsteps.

Labour is fielding Cameron Scott as its candidate in the county council election.

He's 23-years-old, but many voters think his picture makes him look as if he's only just started high school!

Mr Scott is a postgraduate student at the University of East Anglia after getting a degree in history from Sheffield University.

He lives at Brantham, and has been interested in politics for many years.

He said: “In 1997 when I was 15 I stood as the Labour candidate in the mock election at East Bergholt High School.

“I didn't do too much in the last election because I was in Sheffield, living in a constituency which was a battle between the Liberals and the Conservatives.

“But this time I really felt I want to put something back into the community where I live.”

The picture on his election address was taken just six weeks ago - and he believes the county council would do well to pay more attention to young people's issues.

“I think it is important that young people are represented on the county council so their perspective on issues is put across,” he said.

If Mr Scott is elected - and Samford is a tough nut for the Labour Party because it is usually a straight fight between the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives - he would be the youngest county councillor, beating 25-year-old Tory Ben Redsell who has represented Woodbridge since last year.

Mr Redsell said: “I think it is important to have a balance of people on the council.

“I can see the longer-term issue in things, I can think ahead to what our decisions now will look like in 50 years time rather than just 10 years time.

“But most of the older councillors have a great deal of energy, and age isn't the only factor to consider.”

Is it good to elect young people as councillors? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk