Brecon and Radnorshire’s first Welsh Youth Parliament member says it was a "wonderful experience" to represent her constituents at the first-ever meeting in the Senedd.

Arianwen Fox-James, who is 13 years old, spoke in front of 59 other members of the Welsh Youth Parliament (MWYP) on Saturday, February 23.

She used her maiden speech to raise awareness of mental health among young people.

She said: "When suicide is the leading cause of death, why are we not supporting our young people?

"Mental illness is not as easy to spot as thunder, it makes everyone's vision cloudy which is why we need to work with young adults in Wales providing better support and education in our schools."

Speaking to the Powys County Times, the John Beddoes Campus pupil said she hopes the first Welsh Youth Parliament will make a difference to young people across Wales.

She said: "You could feel a buzz around the Siambr. We all felt we were part of something special.

"Everyone spoke amazingly and with passion. It was quite surreal to be there but it was a wonderful experience.

"When my mum saw me on the news, she was screaming!"

The newly-elected parliament, which is made up of 60 members aged 11 to 18, voted to prioritise mental health, littering and plastic waste and life skills, such as finance, politics and sexual education, in the curriculum during the next two years.

Arianwen, from Llangunllo, hopes to visit schools across Brecon and Radnorshire to identify the needs of her constituents.

n Follow Arianwen on her Facebook page 'Welsh Youth Parliment Brecon and Radnorshire.'