Countdown to poll marathon

A HUGE drive by town hall electoral chiefs is under way to update voting lists ahead of next year's marathon of ballots.

Letters are dropping into homes in an annual operation alerting householders to check the names of those already on the register and report on a form any people moving in or out.

The new list comes into force in December and runs for a year.

Polls are scheduled on 5 May for the Scottish Parliament, Welsh and Northern Irish assemblies, all but a handful of cities, boroughs and districts in England outside London, Northern Ireland local authorities and four elected mayors in England. There will also be contests for English parish and town councils.