Helena Barber and Zoe Ovendon, both 16, are UK Youth Parliament members for Kent. Blogging for Total Politics they urge those who are old enough to use their vote.

On 6 May people all over the country will be making an important decision that will affect all our lives and the future of Britain. Yes, the 2010 general election.

At each general election we witness 18-22 year olds being given their first opportunity to vote. Many young people would grab at this chance but are not eligible to do so, due to age. Yet when some 18-year-olds have the chance to vote they turn it down — much to their younger peers' dismay. First-time voters do not feel comfortable voting for a number of different reasons, for example, not taking an interest in party politics, not thinking the issues affect their lives or not believing their vote will make a difference.

However, this year there has been a lot of emphasis put on informing first time voters a number of radio stations have created podcasts to help people make up their minds, Dermot O’Leary has interviewed all the leaders on first time voters issues and UK Youth Parliament has created a general election micro site with statements from the main party leaders not only from England but also Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

So with all this information available we say to all first-time and regular voters that your one vote will have a huge impact. Please don't just let this opportunity pass you by. Use it wisely and do what the young people of Britain cannot, vote!