NORTH Durham MP Kevan Jones is urging young people in his constituency to make sure they are registered to vote.

A General Election is due to be held in May and he fears that many 18-year-olds may be ineligible to cast their vote for the first time because they are not on the official register of electors.

The introduction of Individual Voter Registration means that now each person must register themselves, rather than one person doing it on behalf of a whole household as before.

The Labour MP, whose constituency includes the towns of Chester-le-Street and Stanley and nearbv villages, has noticed a fall in teenagers registering.

He said: “I was concerned to note that there has been a substantial drop in the number of 17-year-olds, who will turn 18 in the coming months, appearing on the electoral register for North Durham.

“The numbers have fallen by around 75 per cent compared to last year.

“The changes to voter registration mean it is vital that individuals ensure they are on the register.

“And I would particularly encourage young people to make sure they do not miss out on their first chance to cast a vote.

“I would say even to those who will not turn 18 until after the May elections to make sure they are registered in the event that any further elections occur in their area this year.”

Mr Jones says that there are 114 people who will turn 18 in 2015 on the register in North Durham.

This is down from 630 in 2014 and 652 in 2013.

People can register to vote online at https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote