An initiative which inspires Black and Minority Ethnic groups to vote is encouraging all eligible Croydon residents to register by the end of today (May 22).

Croydon Council has teamed up with Operation Black Vote, to encourage residents to register for one of the most marginal seats in the country.

An ad campaign, which features a giant billboard, poster, black van and slogan saying: “We are too young to vote, what’s your excuse?” will be stationed around various parts of the borough; Market Square (Purley), Croydon College, and Thornton Heath high street, until this evening.

Director of Operation Black Vote, Simon Woolley said: "We want all Croydon’s citizens Black and white to have a voice for these elections. But you have register to vote first. We are particularly worried about BME groups not registering. Data shows our communities are five times more likely than white people not to be registered. When more people engage and make their voices heard, parties are forced to listen and ensure policies work for everyone."

The scheme supported by a number of organisations ranging from the Runnymede Trust to the British Chinese Project.