Students taking part in a democracy day learned how to vote, why it is important and how politics affects their everyday life.

Young people from Nescot (North East Surrey College of Technology) were asked to choose who they would vote for if the election was today – they produced a hung parliament, mirroring the current predictions of the polls and media.

The Democracy Day, run in partnership with Epsom and Ewell Council, saw students cast their vote using electronic keypads which tallied the results into percentages.

Councillor Jean Smith explained what her varied role within the community entailed and chief executive officer of Epsom and Ewell Council Frances Rutter discussed her job with the students.

Students were also given a mock ballot paper to complete on a visit to the council's Democracy Bus.

During Democracy Day students voted in Charlie Jackson as NUS steering committee member. He said: “I’m very happy that I was elected. I hope to make the college a better, cleaner and safer environment for all – not just for students, but staff and public too.”