Thousands of young people in Bath will be given the right to vote for their own youth parliament representative thanks to a council compromise.

Last month Bath and North East Somerset Council announced that the annual youth elections had been cancelled because of staff illness.

However, after pressure from councillors from all parties, an agreement has been reached to ensure they are now back on.

Councillor Nathan Hartley (Lib Dem, Peasedown St John), who was one of the founding members of Democratic Action for B&NES Youth (DAFBY), welcomed the decision.

He said: "I was approached back in October when DAFBY members contacted me with their concerns that they had been told the elections would not go ahead.

"When DAFBY was founded we hoped that youth democracy would become part of the DNA of life in this authority and that once the UK Youth Parliament elections had begun that they would continue indefinitely.

"I am very passionate about youth democracy – for me it has just as much relevance and importance as 'adult' democracy. In my eyes, wanting to cancel the January 2010 Youth Parliament election is just like cancelling the 2011 local elections."

Usually preparations begin in the summer before the January elections, but this has not been possible because of staff absence through illness.

Although the youth service initially suggested the solution was to have a year off and hold full elections in 2011, DAFBY has put forward an alternative option and agreed plans to hold this year's vote in a shorter timeframe.

The young people have found an independent co-ordinator and the youth service has said it can provide support from existing resources.

Councillor John Bull (Lab, Paulton) also gave his support for the decision.

He said: "We understand that there are special circumstances this year for the youth elections. However, we felt that it was crucial that they still take place, even at a reduced level, and this is exactly what will now happen."