EARLY indications show that all-postal voting has increased the turnout in council elections in parts of the region.

All-postal voting is taking place in eight local authorities in the North-East as part of a pilot Government scheme.

The scheme was introduced to see if letting people post their votes, rather than visiting polling stations, would make it easier and more attractive for voters to take part in elections.

Latest figures suggest the pilot seems to be working in some areas.

Four authorities have already received more votes than at the final count in the last comparable elections.

Voters have until Thursday to return their votes, suggesting turnouts could be higher for these election than in previous years.

In Darlington, there was a 34 per cent turnout in the last elections, compared to a 35 per cent turnout of postal votes already this year.

In Derwentside, 32 per cent of voters have returned their ballot so far, compared to 30 per cent in the last elections.

In Stockton and Sunderland, five per cent more people have already voted than last time.

But the figures for Sedgefield, Gateshead Redcar and Cleveland and Newcastle show more people voted in the last traditional elections than have used their postal votes so far.

The least turnout for the postal election in the region is Newcastle, with only ten per cent of voters taking part so far.

This compares to 36 per cent in the last elections.