PEOPLE in Ludlow and south Shropshire are being urged to make sure that they are entitled to vote.

Philip Dunne MP is encouraging residents in the Ludlow Constituency to register to vote, as part of the National Voter Registration Drive, promoted by Bite the Ballot.

Last year, during the first week in February, a record breaking 441,500 people registered to vote. This makes NVRD 2015 the most successful voter registration campaign ever. Bite the Ballot hopes to encourage similar voter registration and turnout from young people this year.

“In Britain we rightly value our democracy as a fundamental human right, not least since our right to vote has been hard won by previous generations,” said Philip Dunne.

“Many people across the world do not have the same freedom. So I hope all those over 18 in Shropshire will secure their vote by registering.

“Since I was first elected in 2005, it has been clear there has been a concerted effort to ensure Parliament is encouraging more young people to engage in our democracy.

"It hosts more than 45,000 schoolchildren on visits each year and I am always pleased to greet school groups who make the trip down to Westminster from the Ludlow Constituency.

“I was also glad all parliamentary candidates for the Ludlow Constituency at the General Election were able to speak to many young people, through specially organised school and college hustings.

“Our democracy becomes stronger and more representative if more people use their vote. Individual Voter Registration helps reduce the risk of voting fraud at elections.

“So I encourage those who have recently moved, young people and first time voters in the Ludlow Constituency to take an active part in our democracy, and make sure their voice is heard by registering to vote.”

More information about how to register to vote, and why voting matters, can be found at www.bitetheballot.co.uk.