Three teenage bloggers are hoping to encourage young people to get involved in politics.

Whippersnapper, set up by Adrian Burbie, 16, Shiv Bakrania, 15, and Che Appewhaite, 16, Year 11 pupils at Queen Elizabeth Boys’ School, in Queens Road, Barnet, is a political website aimed at teenagers.

Young writers from across the country contribute articles to the site, which also features interviews with politicians including Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, Green MP Caroline Lucas and Shadow Education Secretary Tristram Hunt, as well as north London MPs.

Adrian, of Raith Avenue, Southgate, said: “We felt like there were lots of political blogs, but nothing for young people to speak to politicians directly. Young people are often cynical about politicians and the media, but we want to get them involved.

"We want to counter the force of Russell Brand for young people. Although he has more appeal with a revolutionary romantic idea, nothing will work if we go down that road."

Despite the website's self-deprecating name, Adrian feels politicians have so far treated its contributors with respect.

He said: “No one has been patronising at all. On the whole they have engaged with us. The more we do the more seriously they will take us.”

Shiv, of Hertford Road, New Barnet, said he was “taken aback” by the amount of interest the site has generated, with more than 1,100 following it on Twitter.

Shiv added: “A lot of the news we hear doesn’t relate back to us, so there’s definitely a gap in the market."

Che, of Clive Road, Enfield Town, said he wanted to see the voting age lowered to 16, and felt schools needed to do more to encourage young people to get involved.

He added: “We find young people do care, it’s just not being explained in a way they can understand or get involved. Engagement is a real problem and I think that’s really important for MPs to understand. If you aren’t going to vote, then you won’t have a say on any policies.”