Commercial radio stations have launched a nationwide advertising campaign to get young people into polling booths on June 7.

The campaign, to run until June 6, is called "Use Your Voice" and features comedian Dom Joly and bands A1 and Atomic Kitten.

The three major party leaders have all endorsed the campaign and will feature in several of the radio commercials.

The ads are intended to combat voter apathy amongst the young, fewer and fewer of whom are voting in elections.

Tony Blair opens his contribution in jokey mood: "Yes this is me. Tony Blair. And not Rory Bremner".

Blair goes on to say: "It's your country. And it's your future. And whoever forms the next government will, whether you like it or not, make a difference to your life."

Tory leader William Hague implores listeners to "think for a minute of those countries where people are denied a vote, or countries where people have had to give their lives so that others could have a vote".

Hague describes "our freedoms and our democracy" as "the most priceless assets we have".

Charles Kennedy will tell listeners: "Young people are the future of politics, and politicians like myself need to make sure that they feel involved in politics."

According to the Commercial Radio Companies Association which is behind the campaign, over 40 per cent of voters under 25 did not vote in the 1992 and 1997 elections.

The trade body claims it can help to remedy the situation because 76 per cent of all 18 to 24 year olds in the UK listen to commercial radio.

However, MORI chairman Bob Worcester doubted whether the ad campaign would have much of an effect on young people's voting habits.

"The tradition is young people don't vote and whilst this campaign is worthwhile, it is not likely to have much of an effect," he said.