Jilly McKiernan believes young people should take action!
The 14 year-old from Ashton thinks children and teenagers should have a say in the issues that affect them.
And that’s exactly what she did when she took up the famous chain and robes of office to become Wigan’s first citizen for a day.
Byrchall High School pupil Jilly was helping to promote Local Democracy Week in Wigan to raise awareness about how people can get involved with local government.
She became Mayor for a Day after being nominated by friends because of the charity work she does for BBC Children in Need and Comic Relief.
She accompanied Mayor of Wigan Cllr Rona Winkworth for a day full of civic duties.
“It was a great experience,” says Jilly. “It’s important for young people to get involved with local issues. Lots of things are being done but there are lots of kids who don’t know about them.”
Cllr Winkworth said: “Jilly even made a speech to the Over-50s Forum which takes some doing when you are only 14. I think we have got some fantastic young people in the borough and she is one of them."
