Kieran Lang with Steve Bullock and Chezney Speed-Skyers,

Kieran Lang has been elected as the new Young Mayor of Lewisham for this year, beating 18 other candidates to the post.

The 15-year-old from Forest Hill School won after receiving 2,187 votes during the election on Wednesday. His win was announced at the election party last night.

In a post election speech the new Young Mayor said: “I’m overwhelmed but extremely happy and excited. As I said in my manifesto, I am an example, not a stereotype, and will work on relationships between the young and old. Thank you to all my supporters, I’m going to do my best to make a change.”

Chezney Speed-Skyers, 15, from Sedgehill School, was elected as a Deputy Young Mayor with 1,286 votes.

The election was held on Wednesday during Local Democracy Week, 8,076 youngsters voted representing a turnout of 41.98 per cent.

The Young Mayor will have a budget of £30,000 to spend on putting his vision for young people in Lewisham into action for this year.

Last year’s Young Mayor, Kieza Silveira De Sousa, said before the winner was announced: “I remember this time last year and the nerves, all candidates deserve respect for putting themselves forward.”

“Thank you to Sir Steve for setting up the Young Mayor scheme and congratulations to the new Young Mayor and Deputy Young Mayor, you’ve worked hard and the harder work begins now. Well done to all the candidates, I hope you stay involved to help represent the borough across the world. It’s a really good experience I won’t forget,” he added.

Sir Steve Bullock, Mayor of Lewisham, said: “One of the great things about being a Mayor is working with a new Young Mayor each year. I’d like to thank our outgoing Young Mayor, Kieza, for his hard work, it has been a delight working with him.”

“I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone involved in this campaign, especially the candidates. It’s going to be a great year and I am looking forward to working with Kieran in the future.”

Councillors from across the Council were at the ceremony to congratulate the new Young Mayor and his deputy, as was Helen Klier, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People.

Third place went to Valence Festus, 17, who attends Christ the King Sixth Form College with 757 votes and in fourth place was Humza Raja, 14 from Haberdashers’ Aske’s Hatcham College, with 536. Valence and Humza are elected to represent the London Borough of Lewisham at the UK Youth Parliament and will become advisers to the Young Mayor.