by Tom Sheldrick and Gerry Warren

A 16-year-old boy is attempting to become the country's youngest local councillor.

Alex Ellis-Roswell plans to stand for the North Nailbourne seat in local elections in Canterbury in 2011. He has promised to ensure he is paid the minimum wage if successfully elected.

Alex - who will be 18 years and six weeks old when the elections take place - will be representing the little-known Libertarian Party. He recently quit the UK Independence Party over its proposal to ban women from wearing the burkha.

Alex, who lives with his parents in Riverside Close, Bridge, plans to challenge local Tory councillor John Anderson for his seat.

Audio: Alex Ellis-Roswell argues why he should be taken seriously and why he wants to be on the minimum wage

He said: "Canterbury needs redevelopment, to encourage tourism and to help local residents. Canterbury's got one of the highest populations of students in the country, and we definitely need a vision towards that.

"The Libertarians is a brand new party, they've only been around for two years. Conservatives, Labour, Lib Dem - they're all promising change but they're not promising a change in direction.

"That's what the Libertarian Party can offer. In the near future they will be a strong voice for all Liberals in this country."

On his decision to leave UKIP, Alex added: "No government should ever tell anyone, whoever they are, what they should wear or can't wear. It's absolutely wrong."