A Sussex MP has called for politicians to use Pop Idol as a model for reviving flagging interest in politics among young people.

Charles Hendry, the MP for Wealden and Conservative Party youth spokesman, said lessons could be learnt from the popular ITV1 show.

He said the contestants competing for the chance of pop stardom had not resorted to criticising each other.

Instead they "enthused" the voting public by focusing only on their own strengths.

Mr Hendry told a Westminster debate: "Nine million people voted in that programme, which is more than voted for my party and the Liberal Democrats combined in the last General Election.

"Some 10,000 people applied to be considered for the programme, which is three times the number of election candidates.

"Young people love to vote when they are enthusiastic.

"Our job as politicians is to enthuse young people.

"We cannot expect them to find politics interesting if we do not change some of the ways in which we address issues."

Mr Hendry, who was appointed to the post earlier this year to raise his party's profile among young voters, highlighted worrying research by opinion pollster Mori.

This found only 60 per cent of those aged between 18 and 24 are registered to vote.