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16 and 17 year olds have been granted the vote in all Scottish parliamentary and council elections, on the same day they have been denied it in the EU referendum.

The Scottish Election (reduction of voting age) bill was voted for by 86 MSPs, with only 8 voting against the proposal.

The SNP has long wanted to lower the voting age to 16, and in the Independence Referendum last September 16 year olds were able to cast their ballot for the first time.

Sarah Staples, a member of the Youth Parliament for Plymouth, says: "I am so happy that Scotland has decided to grant 16 and 17 year olds the vote for elections within Scotland, to their councils and to the Scottish Parliament."

"I hope that the rest of the UK can follow Scotland's example on this, because young people should be able to have their say in how their country is run regardless of what side of the border they live on."

(Image: PA)

The referendum blasted some of the highest voter turnout ever seen, with an overall turnout of 84% of Scotland casting their ballot for or against independence.

109,553 16-17 year olds put themselves on the electoral register for the referendum and the 16-24 age group had a turnout of around 90%.

Mita Desai, Chair of the British Youth Council says: “This is a major win for young Scots who will now have the opportunity to directly influence all future Scottish Parliamentary elections and Scottish Council elections.

"We are pleased to see Members of Scottish Parliament recognise the need to include 16 and 17 year olds who have been calling for this change since 1998."

(Image: PA)

But, those under 18 won't be able to vote at the impending EU referendum.

An amendment calling for the franchise to include 16 and 17 year olds was rejected, with 310 to 265 MPs voting against the measure.

Tory MP John Redwood openly backed not giving the in/out referendum vote to 16 year olds, claiming he had never met a young person actively interested in the EU.

And despite efforts from petitioners and youth campaigners to change this view , 16 and 17 year olds will not be able to cast their ballot in the referendum.

(Image: Getty)

Sarah says: " It's absolutely gutting that Parliament decided to deny 16 and 17 year olds the chance to vote for their future, despite the fact that young people, i believe, have proved that they can be trusted to make decisions regarding their own future and the future of their country."

The EU referendum is expected to take place before the end of 2017.

David Cameron was forced to climb down earlier this week over the date of the referendum, conceding that it couldn't happen on the same day as the Scottish elections.