STAFF at a North-East council have been shortlisted for a national award.

Darlington Borough Council's public relations team was praised for its campaign work promoting postal voting during the May local elections.

A total of 38,000 people in the town, equating to a 50 per cent turnout, returned ballot papers under the initiative compared to 33 per cent at traditional ballot boxes in 1999.

The promotion has been nominated for the Campaign of the Year in the Institute of Public Relations awards, to be announced on September 5.