THREE generations of the same family have joined the battle for seats on City of York Council next month.

Teenager Jack Robinson, his mother Janette Robinson and grandmother Jan Keenan, who all live in Coppergate, are all standing for the Conservatives in the city centre Guildhall ward.

Jack, 19, who will be one of the youngest councillors in the country if he is elected, was originally going to stand alongside his grandmother, with businessman Keith Rozelle contesting the remaining seat for the party.

But Janette has now replaced Mr Rozelle, giving her the opportunity to join the rest of the family in the fray.

“It’s something I had considered and then when the opportunity arose, it was as if it was meant to be,” said Janette. She said she had always voted Tory but had felt very strongly about various policies of the Labour administration, such as the trial closure of Lendal Bridge to cars, which had separated the city and had a severe impact on visitors who received tickets for crossing the bridge.

“I live in the city centre, work in the city centre and socialise in it, and I really care about it,” she said. “That’s why I’m standing.”

She joked that her son was her policy advisor and press officer in the contest. He said his interest in politics began at York College when he was due to study A-levels in accountancy and was told there were not enough students to make the course viable, and he switched to the politics course.

Jack said he decided to join the Conservatives after spending two months researching the parties, and felt it was the right one because of factors such as its help for small businesses.

The trio will face a challenge at the election from a range of candidates including long-serving former Sheriff and Labour councillor Brian Watson, who is standing as an independent, Labour’s Janet Looker, who has represented the ward for more than 25 years and Green candidate Denise Craghill.