WHEN every aspect of our daily lives is touched by local politics and local politicians, it's a mystery why voter apathy exists - but it does.

Turnout - especially for local elections - has traditionally been low, with some district council polls barely registering 30 per cent in recent years.

This is why we welcome moves by the Local Government Association to engage with and encourage potential voters, especially younger ones, during Local Democracy Week.

Local councillors are the cornerstone of our democracy. By engaging with young people, councillors can communicate with a vital section of the population, with whom they may well ordinarily have very little contact.

The idea of county councillors putting themselves forward in an I'm a Councillor Get Me Out of Here way, is innovative, fun and, hopefully, will make teenagers more aware of the political processes and opportunities that are available to them.

It also offers councillors the opportunity to highlight what they stand for and to explain how younger people can become involved in our democracy.

It may seem odd to some - especially those living under dictatorships - that people in the UK need such encouragement to either vote or stand for election, at whatever level.

Hopefully, initiatives like Local Democracy Week will mean a new generation of voters can grow up with a greater understanding of the importance of local politics and the vital role it plays in our society.