Passionate election fever had young voters turning out in droves on Valentine's Day to choose a new name for their school.

"Vote for the school you love" was the slogan that had the community of Turlin Moor in Hamworthy, Poole, queuing at the polls.

Turlin Moor First and Middle Schools are due to merge in September and the Borough of Poole's electoral services staged a proper election with a shortlist of seven names on the ballot paper, chosen by the school councils.

More than 300 youngsters at the two schools aged four to 12, plus staff and pupils families, 500-600 people in all, got their chance to put an X on the ballot paper.

"Passions are running very high around the name of this school," said Sue Westcott, head-designate of the combined school.

"Some people feel Turlin Moor should be part of the title and others feel it would be a chance to have something new."

Youngsters were encouraged to dress in red for the day as they made their choice from five of the names which included Turlin Moor in the title and two with Lytchett Bay, the stretch of harbour behind the estate.

Paul Morris, electoral registration and returning officer for the Borough of Poole, said this was the youngest electorate for which they had ever organised an election.

With more than 70 votes registered before polling day, he said: "They are so enthusiastic it isn't true.

"I wish there was so much enthusiasm in local and parliamentary elections."

The names on the ballot paper were Lytchett Bay Community School, Lytchett Bay School, Turlin Moor Combined School, Turlin Moor Community Combined School, Turlin Moor Community School, Turlin Moor FM School and Turlin Moor School.

Ballot boxes will be opened and the votes counted at the Civic Centre today and the schools plan to celebrate their new name with a balloon release this afternoon.