WHEN teenager Chris Barber was preparing for his A-level exams this summer, he had more than academic pressures on his mind.

For the 18-year-old, from Kidsgrove, was also in the throes of a local election campaign and he went on to become the youngest councillor on Newcastle Borough Council.

He took up his seat in early May, just weeks before his final round of college exams began.

But, today, politics played second fiddle to his studies as Chris, pictured left, picked up A-levels in accounting and business studies at Newcastle College. He has also achieved AS-levels in economics and IT.

Chris said: "I worked hard for my A-levels.

"But it was a bit of a headache preparing for exams while canvassing for the election. I was at college in the daytime, finishing at 3pm.

"I would then do leafleting for two or three hours. After that, I would do an hour or so of revision and then might do a few more leaflets."

He was elected as a Conservative councillor for Newchapel, netting 44 per cent of all votes cast in the ward.

But he barely had time to find his feet in the council chamber before heading for the exams room.

"My first exam was on June 6 and I was fitting my council work around that. I remember having an exam in the day and then going to a council meeting. The council meeting was relaxation."

Chris is now planning to study business at Keele University, which means he can stay on his home turf and continue his council duties.

He said: "The council work is going really well. I've been involved with the overview and scrutiny process. I'm also on the public protection committee, which looks at fly-tipping, other environmental issues, and private hire licences.

"I feel like I can make a difference. I just want to represent the people of Newchapel as best I can."

Chris found his college studies were a good grounding for becoming a councillor, particularly when it came to getting his head round how council tax payers' money is spent.

"When documents are put before me, such as the council's statement of accounts, I can understand them and that's been a big advantage."

Chris decided to stand for election after campaigning for better facilities for young people.

Youth services are now one of his key priorities as a councillor.