A COUNCIL is to pilot a postal voting scheme at May's elections.

Redcar and Cleveland Council will have an all-postal vote to chose its new administration of 59 councillors.

While that move should significantly increase voting, the council also expects to end the long election night-wait for results by using electronic counting.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has said the council has been chosen as one of a number of nationwide pilots for an all-postal vote and electronic counting.

Now, council officers are drawing up plans to introduce the voting, including setting up a freephone number to answer people's questions.

The council's leader, Councillor David Walsh, said: "It is essential if we are to live in a thriving democracy to try and get the maximum turnout in the contest to elect the councillors to represent you, your family and your community.

"Experience elsewhere in the country has shown that a postal ballot encourages a higher turnout."