COUNTY Durham's 18-year-olds are being urged to use their vote for the first time in next week's council elections.

On Thursday, May 1, the county will go to the polls to vote for district, borough, town and parish councillors.

More than 14,000 people have reached voting age this year. And although politics is a turn-off for many of them, they are being encouraged to use their democratic right.

The Electoral Commission, set up by the Government to "ensure public confidence and participation in the election process'' is urging youngsters to get involved.

The commission says a MORI survey during the 2001 General Election estimated that only 39 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds voted.

Nicole Smith, the commission's director of policy, said: "Recent months have seen thousands of young people take to the streets to make a stand on matters that affect them, so we know that they feel strongly about political and social issues.''

Youngsters in Sedgefield who have turned 18 have received birthday cards under a new initiative from the borough council and the commission to encourage them to vote.