Six teenagers from across the nation have won a Welsh Assembly Government competition to become representatives for young people on climate change.

Anna Surridge, 15, from Cardiff, Dafydd Richards, 14, from Merthyr Tydfil, Ffion Roberts, 14, from Gwynedd, Cerith Rhys Jones, 15, from Ammanford, Jordan Nicholls, 14 from Llandridod Wells and Charlie Young, 16, Atlantic College, Vale of Glamorgan, take up the prestigious roles following a nationwide search for young people passionate enough about the environment to become Climate Change Champions.

The 'Climate Change Champions' competition was launched in 2008 to find six young people who can use their influence to persuade their friends, families and communities to do their bit to help Wales reduce its carbon footprint.

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The six youngsters will spend a year 'in office' spreading the word about how people can take simple but effective steps to reduce their carbon footprint while saving money at the same time.

Their busy schedule will include taking part in a fact-finding expedition to Brussels in February to learn how other countries are tackling climate change. Whilst there, they will visit eco projects and exhibitions, swap ideas with their young Flemish counterparts and visit a house entirely powered by differing forms of renewable energy.

They will also attend and organise events in their local communities and across Wales to communicate to people the positive steps they can take in their everyday lives to reduce their carbon footprint.

To win the competition, the teens impressed judges with entries ranging from short films to newspaper articles outlining their thoughts on the effects of climate change in Wales.

(CD/JM)