Young people in Wales were "too busy" to vote in the elections to the assembly earlier this year, a poll has found.

The Electoral Commission commissioned the survey after it was found that turnout in the under-25 age group was at a low of just 16 per cent.

And only a fifth of voters in the next age group of 25 to 34-years-olds voted, while voters in these two age groups were found to be least informed about the assembly's achievements.

In contrast, more than half of those aged over 55 turned out in May.

The poll, conducted by NOP, found that being too busy was the most popular reason for not voting among the 1153 people questioned.

However, 40 per cent said they would be more likely to vote if they could do so by post, telephone or via the internet.

"Clearly the role and importance of the national assembly has to be better communicated to the people who are expected to vote in its elections," said electoral commissioner Glyn Mathias.

"The research does provide some encouraging news for those piloting the introduction of new voting mechanisms.

"This is another area which the commission will be studying in the coming months."