David Cameron has announced that the Conservative Party will set up a National Citizen Service – non-military national service – for 16 year-olds if elected next month.

National Citizen Service (NCS) will be a two month summer programme for 16-year olds, involving both residential and at-home components. It will be delivered by independent charities, social enterprises and businesses.

Speaking at his first press conference of the election campaign, where he was joined by actor Michael Caine, Cameron said:

"It’s going to mix young people from different backgrounds, different ethnicities and religions, in a way that doesn’t happen right now. It’s going to teach them what it means to be socially responsible by asking them to serve their communities."

PM Gordon Brown’s volunteer vision in which all 14 to 16-year-olds complete 50 hours of community service started last month.