EAST Lancashire workers aged between 18 and 20 should be paid the same as staff who are 21 and above, it was claimed today.

Labour leader candidate Andy Burnham, the frontrunner in the race to succeed Ed Miliband at the head of the official opposition, said employees of all ages should be rewarded the same.

At present those aged 18-20 get £5.13 per hour, £1.37 less than older colleagues - and in October the gap will grow to £1.40 when the floors are raised to £5.30 and £6.70.

He would retain existing lower rates for under-18s and apprentices.

He said: "I can't support a separate minimum wage for young people. An hour's work deserves an hour's pay whatever age you are, it seems to me.

"It's hard enough for young people to get on in life; why are we making it harder? Why are we pulling the rug from under them.

"Surely as a society we need to start doing more for young people and this is a good place to start."

His rivals believe the youth rate should be a matter for the independent Low Pay Commission.

But Mr Burnham declined, however, to back a rise to £10 an hour in the minimum wage by the end of the parliament - beyond the £8 promised in the manifesto.