The Chairman of Kent County Council is to write to the Prime Minister urging him to introduce legislation to lower the voting age to 16.

A motion was overwhelmingly passed during a County Council meeting on Thursday asking councillors to support reducing the voting age to 16.

The motion came about because of the important contributions made by 16 and 17-year-olds in the recent Scottish Independence referendum.

Supporters argue that 16-year-olds can live on their own, get married, pay taxes and join the army.

Kent County Council has its own Kent Youth County Council (KYCC).

Its members represent young people in their area and help voice their opinions and bring about change.

Following the vote yesterday, 56 councillors voted in favour of writing to the PM, 17 were against and four abstained from the vote.