Clubbers will soon find their MP taking to the dance floor to find out more about their problems.

Brentwood and Ongar MP Eric Pickles is to hold late night advice surgeries at Sam's nightclub in Ongar Road as part of a drive to engage young people in the political process.

The disco move is just one of several initiatives being launched by Mr Pickles to break down the barrier between new voters and mainstream politics.

He said: I am doing things like visiting schools, holding breakfast briefings with young people and getting involved in the Youth Parliament, but it is all abit formal.

"I wanted to find a way of going into surroundings where young people will actually feel more comfortable than me."

Mr Pickles believes his club-based surgeries will be amongst the first of their kind in the country, but he feels politicians of all persuasions must use new techniques to try to tap into the needs and talents of young people.

He said: "I think young people have been ignored by the political process and marginalised. However, young people can bring vitality, excitement and commitment to politics in the widest sense."

He is realistic about what he will achieve and what the reaction from Sam's regulars will be.

He said: "Quite frankly I think there will be moments when I won't feel this is such a good idea, but we have to find ways of reaching out to young people."

Other initiatives aimed at young people include special surveys to get their views on issues, new projects involving sixth form students and policy briefing breaksfasts.

He is also launching a new card which will be sent to all constituents on their 18th birthday to remind them of their right to vote.

Published Friday January 30, 2004

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