Norwich North MP Chloe Smith has been appointed chairman of the new Norwich Opportunity Area Youth Board and she will chair her first meeting today.

The new Youth Board will oversee the engagement with young people of the government's flagship policy to improve social mobility. This follows on from Ms Smith's social mobility project which sought to improve the life chances of young people growing up in the Norwich area and which brought together representatives from local authorities, businesses, education and other sectors to consider how to help young people.

Ms Smith said: 'I was delighted to be appointed chair to the new Norwich Opportunity Area Youth Board. I have long been passionate about improving life-chances for young people living in Norwich, and this role is all about listening directly to young people in our city so we can make real changes together.'

Ms Smith was appointed to the role by Robert Goodwill MP, minister of state for children and families.