FIRST-time voters for the General Election are being urged to make sure they are registered to vote.

A pupil at Lady Lumley’s, Pickering, has organised a question-and-answer evening with the parliamentary candidates for the Thirsk and Malton constituency.

Edward Davey, 18, who will be eligible to vote for the first time this year, said he wanted to organise the event to give young people the chance to question the candidates and to find our more about politics.

“As a first-time vote myself I think it is very important that young people vote because this election affects them and will affect them for the next five years,” he said.

“It is a great opportunity to put questions to the candidates.”

The UK Parliamentary Election and the Local Government election for Ryedale will be held on Thursday, May 7.

The parliamentary candidates for Thirsk and Malton constituency are John Clark – Liberal Party, Kevin Hollinrake – Conservative, Chris Newsam – Green Party, Toby Horton – Ukip, Alan Avery – Labour, Di Keal – Liberal Democrats and Philip Tate – Protect Yorkshire From Fracking.

All of the candidates will be at the event on Monday, April 20, held at Lady Lumley’s School. Edward said he hopes people will come armed with plenty of questions.

He said: “I hope lots of people turn up on the night and ask lots of questions. Hopefully this will help to get first-time voters more involved in politics and find out what it’s all about.

“Events like this can help and the more people hear about events such as this the more interested they may become.”

The event is free and will run from 7.30pm to 9pm.

To register to vote visit gov.uk/register-to-vote