A sixth form student has taken his first step into politics after being elected to his town council at the age of just 18.

Jonathan de Vecchi Freeman, from Lewes, who is a boarder at Ardingly College, near Haywards Heath, stood as a Liberal Democrat candidate at the last elections and gained 1,200 votes.

Despite having little time to organise a campaign or canvass, Mr de Vecchi Freeman, who is taking his International Baccalaureate examinations, is the youngest member of Lewes Town Council.

He is also one of the youngest councillors in Britain, after the government lowered the minimum age for candidates to 18 earlier this year.

Mr de Vecchi Freeman's interest in politics began at an early age.

His mother, Ann de Vecchi Hopper, has been a member of Lewes District Council for more than 20 years and during her year as mayor in 1992, Mr de Vecchi Freeman would play with his toys under her desk.

His elder brother Tom, a former Ardingly College pupil, studied philosophy, politics and economics at Oxford University before taking up law in London.

Mr de Vecchi Freeman spent a week on work experience with Lewes MP Norman Baker where he picked up tips about dealing with constituency issues and the electorate.

He was thrilled to win his seat on the council but was unable to attend the count because he was sitting one of his exams.

At Lewes District Council, two of the youngest councillors ever elected have taken their seats as part of the Liberal Democrat group.

James MacCleary and Carla Butler beat the record set by Mr Baker, who was one of the youngest district councillors in Lewes when he was elected in 1987, aged 29.

Miss Butler, 25, has represented people living in Newhaven as a town councillor for the past four years and hopes to bring energy to the district council as its new vice chairwoman.

She said: "Too often councils are dominated by retired people who cannot fully appreciate the challenges faced by young people in our area.

"I want to represent everyone in my ward and get a better deal for all."

Lewes councillor Mr MacCleary, 26, said: "There are many issues which specifically affect young people in our area from affordable housing to tuition fees to public transport and crime.

"Younger people in our society are too often ignored by decision-makers who often fail to appreciate that they are part of our society too."