Stars from the TV soap Hollyoaks were the central characters in Labour's last election broadcast.

Terri Dwyer and Gary Lucy, who play Ruth Osbourne and Luke Morgan in the teen drama, waived their appearance fee to take part in the party advert which was broadcast on Tuesday night.The actors played a couple who go to a polling station to vote Labour and were then thanked by children, a nurse, a family, a policeman and a pensioner.

Party planners hope that the broadcast will make voters realise that their vote can make a difference and will particularly bring out first time voters.

"The broadcast links the act of voting with the difference it makes to your community. We hope it will encourage young people to vote for schools and hospitals and will be particularly popular with younger viewers," said a Labour Party spokesman.

He claimed that although the soap might not be required viewing with the cabinet, party members are among its fans. "I don't think Hollyoaks is aimed at cabinet ministers but I can say there are plenty of fans of the show within the Labour Party."