SIXTH formers have launched a campaign to try to persuade their fellow teenagers to use their vote.

A group of 16 to 18-year-old pupils at North Durham Academy in Stanley have produced a video encouraging other young people to register to vote in time for the General Election.

They have been working with Durham County Council and the campaign group Bite The Ballot to produce a short film, which was launched today at the school, showing first-time voters how to get involved in the democratic process.

David Collingwood, the council’s electoral services manager, said: “Traditionally voter turnout amongst people aged 18 – 24 is low and we wanted to play our part in helping to address that.

“By working with Bite The Ballot* and this group of fantastic students we hope young people will understand that they must register individually to vote in this year’s General Election and that they will be inspired to do just that.

“The students should be very proud of what they have helped to achieve and I have every hope they will make a difference.”

Following its premier to all sixth formers at North Durham Academy this week, the video will be at the heart of a campaign by the county council to increase the number of young people registering to vote and taking part in the democratic process.

The video is available online at http://youtu.be/GcYqRXjdsLw

Anyone hoping to register to vote can do so online, as long as they have their national insurance number, via www.gov.uk/register-to-vote