TEENAGERS in Bolton are unconvinced about proposals to lower the voting age to 16.

Pupils from Canon Slade Secondary School say they do not know enough about the council or political parties to make an informed decision.

The Bolton Evening News spoke to a group of students who would receive the vote sooner if new legislation was introduced to lower the voting age from 18.

But the youngsters -- all set to celebrate their 16th birthdays over the next school year -- are doubtful they have sufficient maturity to participate in elections. Andrew Watson, from Westhoughton, said: "We don't know enough about politics which is a shame as there should be a way of getting our views across."

Ruth Lloyd added: "At 16, we're too young to start voting. Give it two years and we're likely to understand it better."

The Electoral Commission is opposed to the lowering of the voting age, but Labour are expected to put the idea before its autumn conference. Some youngsters backed the move pointing out that it is unfair that 16-year-old's can marry, join the armed forces and pay taxes but cannot vote.

Michael Wood, from Chapeltown, said: "If someone pays tax they have a right to have a say. If their money is being used to fix roads, they deserve a vote."

He added that the new citizenship lessons in schools were preparing youngsters for the vote by informing them about the Government, party politics and the electoral process.

But Richard Jackson said youngsters are still in the dark about what a council does.

He said: "We should bring it into the school curriculum. We need a system that informs us properly about what each party stands for."

The teenagers claimed the issue that most concerned them was anti-social behaviour in their neighbourhoods.

Courtney Hargearves said: "Children are ruining Moss Bank Park with graffiti, damaging swings and leaving a mess. This is what we want sorting out. "

Ruth Lanham, from Egerton, said: "It's important to get our views across to politicians. They need to hear what we've got to say."

Oliver Harkness, of Darwen, said: "I am in favour of lowering the voting age so that we can assume greater responsibility."