POLICE in the region are investigating an allegation of election fraud.

A voter from Richmond, North Yorkshire, has been interviewed by officers in connection with an alleged incident of personation.

Police say they are looking at the man's votes in both the General Election and county council election.

Election officials describe personation as "pretending to be another person for the purposes of voting".

Anyone found guilty of election fraud could face a prison sentence.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said the man had not used the postal vote system.

He said: "I can confirm we are investigating an allegation of personation in Richmond. The details are with the Crown Prosecution Service for consideration and they will decide whether to take the matter further."

Officers from Hambleton District Council, which organised both elections, said they were aware of the allegation and would be helping police with their inquiries.

A spokesman for William Hague MP, who won the Richmond seat by a majority of nearly 18,000, said the politician did not want to comment now this issue was with the police.