Lloyd, who benefited from new rules lowering the age of candidacy, is taking his A-level exams at Brentwood County High School.

He rejected suggestions that he had insufficient experience of life to become a councillor.

"The simple fact of the matter is that no one has life experience completely, no one knows everything," he told the BBC.

"I can bring something extremely different to this council and, hopefully, up and down this country we've got young candidates taking seats on councils and really involving everyone in democracy."

Lloyd told his local newspaper, the Brentwood Weekly News, he hoped to attract younger voters who were disenchanted with the political system, but that he planned to work for the good of voters of every age.

Brandon Lewis, leader of Brentwood Council, said he believed anyone who was old enough to vote was old enough to stand as a candidate.

"William's selection is further evidence of how we are a modern party that represents the people of Brentwood," he added.

Lloyd took the seat from the Liberal Democrats. The Conservatives held Brentwood Borough Council, finishing the night with 28 seats. Labour won three seats and the Liberal Democrats ended up with two.