MEET the next generation of candidates planning to shake up the stereotype of ageing councillors.

With the average age of Gwent councillors currently 62, these twenty-somethings hope to freshen up the image of local politics after being selected to stand in the May 1 elections.

All three will be fighting for seats in Newport and Monmouthshire when the polls open.

As members of the iPod generation, Oliver Townsend, 20, David Collins, 22, and 25-year-old Laura Pike promise to represent young people's interests.

They also plan to tackle the apathy which saw just 21 percent of 18-25 year olds vote in the last local elections in Wales.

Liberal Democrat Oliver, 20, will become the youngest councillor in Gwent - currently Caerphilly's Jonathan Wilson, 28 - if he wins an as yet unidentified seat in Newport.

Meanwhile Labour candidate David Collins is gunning for the Beechwood ward in Newport, and Laura Pike is standing in Croesonen, Monmouthshire for the Conservatives.

"There are tough political issues like finding a first home and job, which are things that I'm facing at the moment," said Labour candidate David, who works for Jessica Morden MP in her Newport constituency office.

The politics and history graduate's ambitions stem solely from a desire to help people, he says.

"I've been given lots of opportunities in life - I have a loving family, went to a good school - and would like to give something back as a councillor," he said.

The task of increasing young people's interest in politics will be high on Laura Pike's agenda.

"I'd be willing to speak to local youth groups and schools, and ask them what's stopping them from voting," said the former Abergavenny Chronicle reporter, now office manager for David Davies MP in his Usk constituency office.

Politics runs in the family for Oliver Townsend, whose father, Ed, is the Liberal Democrat councillor for St Julian's in Newport.

The 20-year-old, who begins a politics degree at Cardiff University next year, has vowed to make Newport a better place to live if successful.

Newport West MP Paul Flynn, 72, whose first political position was serving the Malpas ward in Newport council in 1972, said fresh blood in local politics was "very welcome".