TEENAGERS serving on a Youth Parliament have blown thousands of pounds

TEENAGERS serving on a Youth Parliament have blown thousands of pounds of taxpayers' money on parties, pizzas and chauffeur-driven cars for themselves.

The snouts-in-the-trough scandal, which mirrors the greedy behaviour of real MPs, was revealed by a 17-year-old whistleblower.

Lydia Ellis spoke out after being sickened by the way fellow youth MPs were squandering their Ј45,000-a-year grant.

The money is supposed to be spent on projects to improve life for youngsters in Surrey, with special emphasis on deprived areas.

But student Lydia revealed the Surrey Youth Parliament last year blew Ј15,000 on a party for themselves and members of other youth councils.

The bash at Epsom Racecourse included free coach travel, food and drink, plus 200 "goodie bags" stuffed with gadgets bearing the Youth Parliament's branding.

Lydia said the parliament's 20 members - aged 13 to 18 - splash out on chauffeur-driven cars to take them to and from their meetings every six weeks at council offices in Kingston.

She added: "They even use taxpayers' money to have pizzas, chicken wings and fizzy drinks brought in from local takeaways - money is being wasted hand-over-fist and nobody seems to be accountable."

Lydia revealed youth MPs are given a Blackberry mobile after a year, and said "alarm bells" rang at last year's party when she saw members handing awards to THEMSELVES rather than kids from the community.

The final straw came after a furious row when the parliament began planning another Ј15,000 bash.

Lydia said: "I said it was nothing short of corruption. If they deem it inappropriate to speak against what they're doing then I will resign, but I cannot stand by and say nothing."

The Ј45,000 grant is allocated by Surrey County Council out of central government funds.

Surrey County Council initially claimed it was not responsible for checking the cash was properly used.

But the Government's Department for Children, Schools and Families said: "We expect local authorities to have safeguards in place.

"Any misuse of funds is a matter for them."

A council source said: "Everybody assumed that because the money came from government, they would check how it was spent - but it turns out we are supposed to. An urgent review is underway."