DAVID Crausby, Bolton MP and others are right to encourage local residents to register and vote in the European Union referendum.

Many readers may not realise that to be eligible to vote, people must register by June 7.

Whatever the rights and wrongs of the European Union, this vote is of significance for everyone, particularly for younger people who will be directly affected for better or worse by the outcome for years to come.

Voting patterns in recent elections show that in many cases young people are usually less likely to be on the electoral register and less likely to

vote. This may be a reflection of disengagement with the political process but it doesn't follow that young people are disinterested in political issues. For many, the right to travel, work or study elsewhere in Europe is an important issue that could be directly affected by the referendum result. It is really important that younger voters are encouraged to find out what is at stake and register to vote.

Any one can register to vote via the government website gov.uk/register-to-vote.

Joan Pritchard-Jones

Bolton