Teenagers as young as 16 could be given the vote under radical new plans.

Eastbourne Borough Council intends to run a pilot scheme allowing 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in elections.

Councillors have voted 22 to 1 in favour of asking the Government to run the scheme because they regard school leavers as adults.

The council has decided that youngsters leave school with a comprehensive knowledge of politics and have experienced political debate.

Councillor Caroline Heaps, who proposed the motion, said: "16 and 17-year-olds can leave school, get married, have a full-time job and must pay taxes on their income, and can join the armed forces but are not allowed to vote in public elections.

"The curriculum of citizen education onto the national curriculum at key stages three and four means that young people will reach the age of 16 with a thorough knowledge of political structures and how elections work and will have been encouraged to debate issues in class."

Eastbourne Borough Council's Liberal Democrat leader David Tutt said he would like Eastbourne to pilot the scheme.

He said: "It seems like something which would be good for our town and maybe change the image a bit.

"We hope the Government will listen and give young people the vote.

"The danger is that if we do not allow people to vote at a young age it could put them off politics for life."

Leader of the Conservatives David Elkin said: "There is a good chance 16-year-olds know how elections work.

"Although their experience is limited, they have already made some big decisions in life."

Eastbourne MP Nigel Waterson said parliament should consider giving 16-year-olds the vote.

He said: "16-year-olds these days are much more mature and savvy about political issues than they used to be."

What do you think? Should teenagers be given the vote? Or are 16-year-olds too naive to be given the vote? Leave your comments below.

The Argus took to the streets of Eastbourne to test the council's theory that teenagers leave school with a thorough knowledge of political structures.

We asked 16 and 17 year olds: Which party was elected to Eastbourne Borough Council in May? (Liberal Democrats) Who is the leader of Eastbourne Borough Council? (David Tutt) Who is the Prime Minister? (Gordon Brown) Who is the leader of the Conservative Party? (David Cameron) Zoe Astridge, 16, of Langney, Eastbourne, failed to answer any of the questions correctly (0/4).

She said: "It would be a good idea as long as we are educated about what to do. Nobody has taught us politics in school."

Michael Bourner, 16, of Old Town, Eastbourne, knew the Lib Dems had been elected to the council but got the other three questions wrong (1/4).

He said: "I might vote if I had the option and there was something I felt strongly about."

Rosie Pears, 17, of Roselands, Eastbourne, knew who was Prime Minister and leader of the Conservatives (2/4).

She said: "At 16 and 17 we have voices. I have learned more about politics from the news and newspapers than at school."

Chloe Sims, 16, of Old Town, Eastbourne, knew who was leader of the Conservatives but got the other three questions wrong (1/4).

She said: "I don't know enough to vote. 16-year-olds don't know enough about politics and would mess it up for everyone else.

Zoe Durrant, 16, of Stone Cross, Eastbourne, knew who was Prime Minister and leader of the Conservatives (2/4).

She said: "I don't know enough at the moment but if I could vote I would make sure I knew more."

Kane Trayers, 16, of Seaside, Eastbourne, did not know the name of the council's leader but got the other three questions right (3/4).

He said: "If we could vote we could change Eastbourne. We could improve the facilities so there is more to keep us occupied."

The Argus took to the streets of Eastbourne to test local teenagers political knowledge. We asked 16 and 17-year olds the following four questions:

1. Which party was elected to Eastbourne Borough Council in May?

2. Who is the leader of Eastbourne Borough Council?

3. Who is the Prime Minister?

4. Who is the leader of the Conservative Party?

Of the teenagers we asked none got all the questions right.

Zoe Astridge, 16, of Langney, Eastbourne, failed to answer any of the questions correctly (0/4).

Michael Bourner, 16, of Old Town, Eastbourne, knew the Lib Dems had been elected to the council but got the other three questions wrong (1/4).

Rosie Pears, 17, of Roselands, Eastbourne, knew who was Prime Minister and leader of the Conservatives (2/4).

Chloe Sims, 16, of Old Town, Eastbourne, knew who was leader of the Tories but got the other three questions wrong (1/4).

Zoe Durrant, 16, of Stone Cross, Eastbourne, knew who was Prime Minister and leader of the Conservatives (2/4).

And Kane Trayers, 16, of Seaside, Eastbourne, did not know the name of the council leader but got the other questions right (3/4).

Here are the answers: 1. Liberal Democrats; 2. David Tutt; 3. Gordon Brown; 4. David Cameron. How did you do?

What do you think? Should teenagers be given the vote? Or are 16-year-olds too naive to be given their say? Leave your comments below.