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A photo of middle-aged Tories claiming to be “Young Conservatives” has sparked hundreds of mocking tweets online.

Dubbed the “grey-haired youngsters” by sharp-tongued tweeters, the group appear to be mostly in their 30s, 40s and 50s.

Nevertheless, they proudly brandish a “Young Conservatives” poster - oblivious to any irony.

The Tory activists from Kensington, Chelsea and Fulham in London have since become the butt of hundreds of online jokes.

Left-wing campaigner Nick Lowles tweeted the image with the caption: “There is something strange about this picture of ‘young’ Conservatives but I can’t quite put my finger on it....”

(Image: Nick Lowles/Twitter)

The post was liked more than 8, 000 times and received hilarious responses from bemused tweeters.

Tippopotamus replied: “They are all in their early twenties, but being evil is so very bad for the complexion.”

Meanwhile, Hugo Adriaanse said: “The curious case of Conservative buttons.”

And Anthony Kreppel joked: “This is obviously a leftover snap from the morning of April 1st.

“What funsters are the grey-haired youngsters.”

(Image: William Hedges/Twitter)

Bevan Boy noted: “Tough paper round for these ‘young conservatives.”

Meanwhile, others took offence to the sartorial choices on display in the cringe-worthy snap.

A twitter account called N.Y.T.A said: “The footwear alone tells you none of these people are young…”

And Simon Coombes said: “Red trousers. Posh giveaway.”

However, some defended the far-from-sprightly activists claiming they were young compared to most tories.

Steve Klarich said: “I’m pretty sure they are young as far as Conservatives go!”

(Image: Hugo Adriaanse/Twitter)

John Stealer wittily observed: “No no, they are young Conservatives, you must take into account that the average age for a Tory member is 98, but it has come down a little from 102 due to a recent influx of ‘run through a wheat field’ young hooligans.”

Similarly, Dibs said: “They are young compared to the dinosaurs who lead the party. Fingers crossed they're all extinct soon too!”

The average age of a Conservative party member is 72, according to a 2017 study by The Bow Group.

The photo has since been deleted from the Kensington, Chelsea and Fulham Young Conservatives social media page.

The organisation has been contacted for comment.