TEENAGERS in Blackburn and Darwen will receive an extra birthday present this year as part of a Mayor's plan to encourage young people to vote.

But the scheme has been given the thumbs -own and branded a waste of money by teenagers.

The council is due to send out birthday cards to everyone in the borough who turns 18 in a bid to tempt more teenagers into voting booths. Cards will only be sent to teenagers who are already on the Register of Electors.

A council spokesman said receiving a card from the council could remind youngsters about voting, but the move was greeted with indifference at Blackburn College where students said it was a waste of town hall money.

Hannah Dugdale, 18, of Blackburn, said: "I think the cards are a nice thing but don't think it would be appreciated my most people.

"I'd probably keep it for about a week, it would be better if it was a bit more personal. It is a nice gesture but maybe a waste of money."

Nicola Fairhurst, 17, of Blackburn, said: "It's us who are paying for the cards in the end so what's the point. The council are just trying to suck up to us. It would have been better if they had put £10 in there!"

Gemma Ridgway, 18, of Clitheroe, said: "I would be impressed if the council recognised my birthday but we're paying the taxes for it. The money could be spent on other things."

Lara Donnelly, 17, a student, of Beardwood, said: "It's a waste of money that could be spent on other things like tidying the place up. Eighteen is the right target age group for the council as we are the future. I'd probably like to get a card as at least it shows the council knows we're there!"

David Lord, a 16-year-old student from Accrington said: "The card's all right, it shows the council care about you. It is a waste of money though, it would be better spent on something else.

"Everyone else is getting the same so it doesn't make you feel any different."

The council has recently included the scheme in its new Belonging campaign, aimed at bringing the community together.

Leader of the Conservative group at Blackburn with Darwen Council, Colin Rigby, said he was not informed of the move and was unsure about whether the town's Mayor should be encouraging people to vote.

Coun Rigby added: "I think that if a Labour mayor is sending out birthday cards then it's definitely political and he should be impartial.

"A Mayor should not be involved in something like this, which seems like another daft idea. I don't know where these ideas come from but maybe this one has been launched because some councillors are worried about the elections in June. I wouldn't mind if the Chief Executive sent out the card, but not the Mayor."

Liberal Democrat leader Paul Browne also claimed to be unaware of the move. He said: "This idea is a load of rubbish. I don't know who has authorised this but I am going to find out.

"If the Mayor wants to send birthday cards then he should pay for it out of his own fund. We should be told what it's costing us. I don't know why they're sending them out to people who are already on the register, they should be going after those that aren't."

According to data from the 2001 census 5.6 per cent of the population in Blackburn with Darwen is 16 to 19 years-old, almost 7,700 teenagers.

Linda Comstive, director of legal and democratic services added: "The council sends out the cards as a way of encouraging young people to become active citizens and to remind them that as they reach 18 they are able to register to vote.

"The cost for this around £220 per year which is funded from Government grants. We are using existing stocks of cards, designed by a local student.

"This is not new but something that we have done over the last two years. However, when the Representation of the People Regulations 2001 were introduced, they restricted what the Register of Electors could be used for.

"As a result of this, we are only allowed to send the cards to people whose names are included in the edited version of the Register, which does not include the names of people who have chosen to 'opt out'. Now we are able to continue sending the cards, we aim to do so for the foreseeable future."

Mayor Councillor Mike Barrett, who has vowed to sign every card, said: "We value all our residents and want young people to know that contrary to popular belief the political world is not boring.

"This is an exciting time in the life of these young people who are our citizens of tomorrow.

"We at Blackburn with Darwen Council wish them every success and happiness for their future."