Is new councillor for Mash Barn youngest in UK?

A TEENAGER who won a parish council by-election last week could be Britain’s youngest at the age of just 18.

Jack Chapman, from Lancing, celebrated a landslide victory in the Mash Barn by-election, with 57 per cent of the vote.

The UKIP member is a former politics student of the party’s East Worthing and Shoreham chairman Mike Glennon, and said his age would not affect his performance.

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He said: “I think there was a bit of concern about my age, but it was all very cordial and I was surprised people didn’t worry about my age more.

“I had a suspicion I might win as there was a lot of support for UKIP in the county council elections but to win by so much was a surprise.”

Jack takes over from Lib-Dem Julie Petrie, who resigned her position.

He was inspired to join UKIP when he attended Nigel Farage’s talk at the parish hall last October.

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He is also a former politics student of East Worthing and Shoreham UKIP chairman Mike Glennon.

Jack said: “I was approached shortly after the county council elections when Mike rang me up.

“I only told my parents about it after I had made the decision.”

Jack is now looking forward to addressing concerns that residents have raised to him during canvassing.

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He said: “There are concerns about development in the ward, amongst other things, but one thing which struck me is that Lancing is the largest village in the UK, and I think we have lost sight of that, so we need to make the most of that title.”

Lancing Parish Council clerk Colin Hunt said it was refreshing to see a young person getting involved with the council.

He said: “It’s nice to have some fresh blood. He seems level-headed and it will be a great experience for him.

“We have three councillors now under the age of 20, and they are all quite able.

“It’s nice to have some new ideas.”