ADVER, APRIL 15: BEFORE last year's US presidential elections an unusual incentive was used by a campaign to encourage young Americans to vote.

By signing up to the Votergasm website politics-enthusiasts could pledge to withhold sex from a non-voter as punishment for their lack of interest in the world around them.

There is no sign of such a campaign coming to Britain but less than two in five 18 to 24-year-olds voted in the 2001 general election as turnout fell to an all-time low.

So are young people completely turned off by politics?

Not all of them it seems.

Although views are mixed there is some genuine enthusiasm as first-time voters at New College in Queens Drive prepare to go to the polls.

Becky Smith, 18, from Old Town, says: "In terms of being able to vote it is quite exciting.

"When I got my polling slip I made my mum give it to me and I just looked at my name on it.

"It seemed like a privilege I had received because I was now allowed to have some contribution."

But it is not all good news from Becky despite her enthusiasm she is struggling to gather together enough information to decide who gets her valuable first vote.

"I have tried to make myself informed because I think it is almost like your duty but so far I haven't found anything that has swung me one way or another.

"I also don't find their policies very accessible.

"I definitely think that could put some people off."

Simon Norman faces a similar problem he is well informed but says no party sticks out and cannot decide between the Lib Dems and the Tories.

His solution? He is going to flip a coin.

"I can't think of any other way," says the 18-year-old, also from Old Town.

"I have done lots of research and made my own points scheme but they came out exactly equal.

"I am going to go into the booth and flip my coin."

Kimberley Lauf, a performing arts student from Burbage, will turn 18 just six days before May 5.

But she thinks she should have been able to vote even if her birthday had fallen after polling day.

"I think you should be able to vote at 16 because you are allowed to get married and be a parent but you can't dictate the way society is run," she says.

Claire Stevens, 16, from Coleview, and Lynzi Byrom, 17, from Park North, agree but neither of them are very interested in politics.

"I don't really pay attention to it," says Claire.

Their friend Claire Watson, 19, from Pewsey, can vote but will she get to a polling station?

"Probably," she says. "It is something to do. It won't be for Tony Blair, but I don't know who for."

Kyle Robson, 18, from Peatmoor, is more decisive and thinks the voting age is fine as it is.

"I think 18 is a good age to vote," he says.

"I will be voting Conservative because I like their policies, such as the idea of bringing back matrons to hospitals."

Ann Kent, 19, from Freshbrook, will also definitely vote and has already made up her mind to support the Liberal Democrats.

But what does she think of schemes to encourage others to vote, such as the American sex incentives?

"It is ridiculous," she says. "I don't see how it is going to encourage people to vote.

"How are they going to keep track?"

Isabel Field