John Stanton and brother Jay, turned 18 on September 7, and had been looking forward to voting for the first time ever in the independence referendum.

But as John and Jay have the same initials, last name, date of birth and address, a mistake was made and only one registration form was processed by the Dumbarton and Argyll and Bute Joint Valuation Board despite sending both forms in the same envelope.

When their father Gerry called to find out why, he was told only one form was received, but he believes this isn’t the case as he sent them off together.

He told the Advertiser: “I sent off the forms at least 10 days before the closing date, I know they received it because they have processed one form and they were both in the same envelope.

“I am hitting a stone wall, they just say there is nothing they can do about it, but really they didn’t do their job properly in the first place.

“My son is devastated, especially because his brother can vote and he can’t. This was the first time they have been eligible to vote so it is frustrating.” The twins had already made up their minds what way they were voting and were looking forward to going to the polls for the first time.

John said: “I am quite annoyed, there is no reason why I can’t vote it is just because they have messed it up.

“I just feel frustrated really, we have called several times and still nothing can be done.” A spokesman for the Dumbarton and Argyll and Bute Joint Valuation Board said: “I can advise that our office only has a record of receiving one application – from Jay Stanton.

“Both parents have been on the phone to our Campbeltown office to enquire about the situation but whilst the father, who posted them, says the forms were posted in separate envelopes on the same day, the mother claims that both forms were in the same envelope.

“In the circumstance where I cannot confirm receipt of an application I cannot remedy the situation in time for the election.” The news comes after figures revealed this week a total of 4,285,323 people have registered to vote in the referendum which included 109,533 people under the age of 18.

In Argyll and Bute alone, 1,808 youngsters under 18 have registered for the first time.