A Cynwyd youngster has picked up his family’s political baton and sprinted across the electoral line as his legendary great grandfather did before him.

Elis ap Gwynfor is the son of Mabon and Nia Gwynfor and has become the fourth generation of his family to enter politics.

The six-year-old has been elected to his school council at Ysgol Bro Dyfrdwy.

Elis, pictured, said: “We all had a chance to put our names forward for the school council.

“I enjoyed making the posters and putting them up.

“I wanted to stand because I want us to respect our teachers and those that help with the school more. That's why I put ‘please’ on the poster.”

Elis isn't the first in the family to enter politics.

His father is Mabon ap Gwynfor, the Plaid Cymru candidate for the Clwyd South seat in next year's Westminster election, and Mr ap Gwnfor is the grandson of Gwynfor Evans.

In 1966, Mr Evans made history when he became the first Plaid Cymru MP to be elected to Parliament when he won the Carmarthen by-election.

Mr ap Gwynfor is also the great grandson of Dan Thomas, a First World War veteran who campaigned for universal suffrage with Christabel Pankhurst.

He went on to represent Plaid in the Wrexham constituency in 1951.

“I'm very proud of my family. My great grandfather tried to help people and make things better. My nain and taid are always busy helping people here as welI. I think that's good and we should all help each other,” added Elis.

Mabon ap Gwynfor said: “Elis didn't tell us that he had put his name forward until he asked for paper and felt-tip-pens to make the poster. Nia and I were obviously proud that he was taking an interest in the well-being of his fellow pupils and was willing to take responsibility for others.

“The simple act of saying please on the poster after asking for their support is a lesson for modern politics. We teach our children to be courteous, yet all we see are politicians shouting at each other, calling each other names.

“He has some very ambitious ideas for the school which as they stand won't be realised, but we shouldn't stop them from thinking big, being ambitious, and attempting the impossible. We all have hopes and dreams.

“If we don't believe that we can improve things and make life better for our family, friends and community then we might as well give up. We encourage him to challenge orthodoxy and think for himself. Being a six year old nothing is impossible for Elis and life is full of exciting new adventures, with new experiences and things to learn. It would be nice if more of us adults could see the world that way.”