Sarah Teather becomes the youngest MP in Westminster, following her by-election victory.

At 29, the policy researcher for Macmillan Cancer Care Relief beats Labour minister David Lammy by two years.

It was while at university in 1993 that her interest in politics began, she told ePolitix.com

"I joined the party in my first week at Cambridge and I got more active. I don't come from a 'political' family at all, but we had a sense of community service," she said.

Teather's key influence was Susan Kramer, who stood as the party mayoral candidate in London.

"Susan is wonderful and a big influence. She inspired me to stand," Teather said.

A scientist by training - Teather has a degree in pharmacology - her non-political career has included advising government officials on behalf of the Royal Society.

This was followed by a stint with a consultancy firm, again concentrating on science policy across Europe, before joining the Liberal Democrat policy unit assisting Dr Evan Harris.

He and Ed Davey, the party's ODPM spokesman, have also been key supporters, but most of the party's MPs have given support to the campaign.

"The support from the parliamentary party has been enormous. Almost all of them have been down here," she said.

Her political career has included a stint as an Islington councillor and she stood for the Finchley and Golder's Green seat at the 2001 election where she took 12.1 per cent of the vote.Teather's science credentials were also used as a member of the national policy committee, shaping the party's general election manifesto, and she chairs the Lib Dem's health policy working group.

She brings the party's tally of MPs up to 54 and says she will campaign against the closure of local post offices and for regeneration.

But the health service will be her main focus.

"We need better hospitals but the money is going in at the wrong level. I know this from my own research," she said.

Teather received high praise from party leader Charles Kennedy.

"Sarah has proved herself to be an excellent candidate and we've been seen to take people seriously," he said.

The generational gap is likely to be the focus of many Westminster-watchers who will be keen to see what the "twenty-something" age group wants to achieve.

Away from politics she is a keen musician and is active in her local church.