RESIDENTS are being reminded they must be registered to vote or they will lose their say in the upcoming European Parliamentary Election.

Darlington Borough Council has joined forces with the Electoral Commission for Register to Vote Week next week which aims to get as many people as possible register and use their right to vote.

The election takes place on June 4 and to have a say, people need to have registered to vote by May 19. This is also the deadline for applying for, or making changes to postal votes for the European Parliamentary Election.

Darlington's returning officer, Catherine Whitehead, said: "We don't want anyone to miss out on the right to vote in this election just because they aren't registered to vote.

“Some think they are automatically registered because they pay Council Tax - but that's not the case."

Any Darlington residents unsure if they are registered to vote, who would like to register, or who want more information on postal voting, should contact the council’s Democratic Services team on 01325-388351.