ISLE of Wight MP Bob Seely is urging Islanders to take part in UK Parliament Week.

Island organisations are being invited to take part in the annual festival, which aims to engage local people with the UK Parliament.

Ten organisations have already signed up to this year’s event, which will run between November 1 and 7, but Mr Seely is keen for more organisations to get involved.

The event, which aims to strengthen democratic links between communities and their national parliament, was well supported on the Island last year with around 30 events being held.

“The idea is to explore with local groups what parliament means to them and to empower them to get involved in the decisions that affect them," said Seely.

“Last year, our festival was rated joint 13th out of 40 constituencies who took part.

"I’m grateful to those organisations who got involved, and I’d like to see us build on that this year.

“Democracy is important and requires engagement.

“Events can be both informative and entertaining.

“Through my school visits I know that children have good ideas around how they can shape their world, so I encourage schools to sign up and show children how they can make a difference.”

Further details on how to sign up to the UK Parliament event, go to www.ukparliamentweek.org