LABOUR MPs Ruth Kelly and David Crausby have called on young people to take an interest in politics and make sure they use their vote.

Speaking at an event, organised by Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council, to mark Local Democracy Week, they urged an audience of sixth formers and college students to make sure they had a say in the way Britain is governed.

Mrs Kelly, MP for Bolton West and financial secretary to the Treasury, said: "Young people don't vote because they don't think casting their vote will make a difference. It's up to us as politicians to be out in our communities and show that we listen to people's concerns."

Mr Crausby, MP for Bolton North-east, said the right to vote was often only missed once it was lost. He said: "Democracy is valuable. Defend it."

Steve Hughes, editor of the Bolton Evening News, talked on the role of the Press in the community and of the need for the Government and local authorities to be more open.

The event was at Bolton Lads and Girls Club.

He said: "There is still a tendency towards secrecy in the corridors of power. It is our job to inform and explain and campaign on issues where sometimes the truth is hard to get at."

Other speakers at the event, which was staged at the Bolton Lads' and Girls' Club, included Brian Iddon, MP for Bolton South-east, a member of the Youth Parliament and representatives from Bolton Council.