A YOUNGSTER was invited to cast his vote 15 years early after receiving a polling card.

Reece Wilson's mother Jacqueline Parvin got a shock when she picked up the post from the doormat, because among the bills and letters addressed to her and her boyfriend, Steven Wilson, was a polling card for Reece.

Reece, born on February 13, 1998, went with his parents to the polling station at the Kingsley Road Opportunities Centre, Grangetown, near Middlesbrough, but could not vote.

A spokeswoman for Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council said: "The form completed by the householder has Reece's name entered as a resident aged over 18.

"Unfortunately, the householder has entered the form incorrectly."