$().ready(function() {
   // validate signup form on keyup and submit
   $("#contactForm").validate({
       rules: 
       {
           first_name: 
           {
               required: true,
               minlength: 2
           },
           
           last_name: 
           {
               required: true,
               minlength: 2
           },                                                                                              
           
           email: 
           {
               required: true,
               email: true
           },
           
           message: 
           {
               required: true,
               minlength: 2
           },                     
           
           captcha_code: 
           {
               required: true
           }                                   

       },
       messages: 
       {
           first_name: "Please enter your first name.",
           last_name: "Please enter your surname.",                                                                                                   
           email: "Please enter your email address.",
           message: "Please enter a message.",
           captcha_code: "Please enter the security code." 
       }
   });      
   
});