More than 30 youngsters, mainly teenagers, will make their opinions known on all aspects up to, including and beyond Liverpool's European Capital of Culture year in 2008

The group's members are from all neighbourhoods of the city and have been chosen on the strength of their contribution to an open application process. It follows research carried out online by Liverpool John Moores University about how young people wanted to be involved in Capital of Culture. The Liverpool Young Culture Action Group based at the Greenhouse Project in Toxteth was instrumental in this research.

Liverpool City Council leader, Cllr Warren Bradley, said: "The young people I've spoken to, want not to be asked once as a token gesture, but to be continually consulted on events, artistic and community programmes. They will have an important role to play, not only in events which are intended mainly for young people but to provide a fresh and alternative viewpoint for all of the undertakings of the Culture Company."

Chief Executive of the Liverpool Culture Company, Jason Harborow, is fully behind the scheme. He said: "Young people are valuable ambassadors and this group will no doubt be able to talk to other young people, often with more effect than many adults. Peers are often equally if not more respected than adults in authority and the Youth Advisory Group will use this to its advantage to create a Capital of Culture that is fully inclusive of today's youngsters."

liverpool08.com