A poll of local youngsters found that 52.4 per cent backed Blair, while only 17.1 per cent were in favour of the Conservatives.

The Liberal Democrats came third with a 15 per cent share of the vote, followed by the Greens with 11.8 per cent, Plaid Cymru with 2.1 per cent and the Scottish National Party with 1.8 per cent.

And it was a "sweet" victory for Labour in more ways than one as Britain's first general election for youngsters was organised by the people behind Poppets sweets.

They linked up with Asda stores nationwide to give teenagers the opportunity to join in the election by installing polling booths in the supermarket's stores.

Down at Radcliffe, pupils from Coney Green High School were among the first of the junior electorate to cast their vote. Candice Marchrones (14) of Holland Court has mixed feelings about politics. She said: "I'm not really interested in things like tax, but young people's issues do concern me. I think there should be more youth centres."

Candice likes Tony Blair and the Labour Party in general and said that she would be giving them her vote.

"I'm not disappointed with what they've done so far. They seem to have done a good job."

Kirsty Blears (13), of Hawthorn Avenue, thinks Tony Blair is a good advert for Britain abroad because "he sticks up for our country and is trying to do things to improve it".

However, she is not impressed by the way he shouts over other people during arguments.

"We don't study politics at school so I'm only aware of some of the issues, but I'll probably vote Labour because Tony Blair is the only politician I know anything about."

Nicola Barrington (12), of Stand Lane, is not particularly interested in politics at the moment, but she thinks she will be more into it when she gets older.

"I'll probably vote for the Labour Party because my mum and dad are Labour supporters and Tony Blair himself is okay, I suppose. I think it's very important to vote because some people are homeless and they need people to vote for whichever party is going to help them the most."

Stacey Parkinson (12), of Turks Road, does not know anything about William Hague and does not know what to make of Tony Blair.

"I think there needs to be more hospitals so I'll vote for the party that says it will help the health service."

Christopher Downes (12), of Hamer Street, is not interested in politics, but he thinks Tony Blair is too big-headed. Christopher doesn't even know what Charles Kennedy looks like.

"Politicians should look at environmental issues so I will vote for the Green Party.

"It is important to vote because otherwise we wouldn't have a parliament and the Queen would be running things on her own and making all the decisions."

Jason Valentine (13), of Ruskin Street, thinks that unemployment is a priority issue and says he wants increased training for jobs.

"Hague's really boring, Kennedy is okay and even though I don't like Tony Blair I think he's a pretty good ambassador for Britain. But I'll probably vote Green."

He added: "I think that young people should be allowed to vote in proper elections.

"It would certainly make it more interesting and politicians would be more likely to look at youth issues."