Teenagers urge Britons to register to vote in May general election

Dozens of teenagers in London held a rally on Thursday (5 February), as part of a push to encourage people to register to vote ahead of Britain's general elections in May.

Campaigners are targeting the millions of people who are not on the electoral register, many of whom are aged between 18 and 24.

"We saw this as a particular opportunity to get young people to engage productively in the democratic process and saying 'actually this is my vote, my voice and yes I can register myself to vote'. So that's the inspiration behind the campaign seeing something that could potentially be an issue as a potential opportunity," said Promise Knight of charity Citizens UK.

Last year campaigners signed up 50,000 new voters on what they call "voter registration day" and this year they hope to encourage 250,000 people to do the same.

The teenagers, some of whom will be old enough to vote in May, marched to Islington local town hall to hand over hundreds of new voter registration forms.

Around the country schools, places of worship and unions have been taking part in the initiative.

On Wednesday (4 February), an image encouraging people to register was projected onto the side of Britain's iconic parliament building.

Changes to Britain's voter registration system mean individuals need to register themselves where previously voters were collectively registered by the head of their household.