THOUSANDS of north Durham residents are being warned their European election votes will be void, unless they follow new procedures.

Last year, postal votes for the local elections in Derwentside and Chester-le-Street removed the requirement for the elector and a witness to sign the ballot paper.

But the Government has reintroduced the declaration of identity for the all-postal European elections, which will take place next month.

Mike Clark, Derwentside's returning officer, said: "It is essential that every voter completes the declaration correctly as a vote is not valid without it.

"Husbands, wives and partners can witness each other's declaration as well as sons, daughters, friends or neighbours - there is no restriction on who the witness may be.

"The elector's ballot paper is sealed separately to the declaration and they are parted on arrival at the civic centre, meaning that the secrecy of the vote is not compromised."

About 68,000 electors in Derwentside will receive their ballot papers at the end of the month. They are part of a Government pilot scheme for the European elections involving more than 1.9 million voters in the North-East.

Last year's postal voting for the district elections saw an increase in turnout from 32 per cent to 54 per cent.

Council staff will be visiting nursing and residential homes across the district to assist residents with their ballot papers.

For further details, contact the election team on (01207) 218011 or 218218.