THE police and Electoral Commission have been notified after voters in County Durham received two postal packs ahead of a local election.

Durham County Council said a small number of postal voters in Shotton and South Hetton were sent two vote packs due to a error at the printers.

In a letter to voters, the council said printers Adare posted out packs that should have been destroyed, and then sent out replacement packs not realising the original letters had gone out.

Voters were told the Electoral Commission and Durham Police were notified, although officials stressed that the mistake did not affect the outcome of the election which saw Labour keep hold of the ward.

The election was held on Thursday, August 20 and was prompted by the death of long-serving Labour councillor Robin Todd MBE.

Cllr Todd died in hospital on May 23 aged 74, just three days after being made the authority’s vice-chairman.

Colette Longbottom, Durham County Council’s returning officer, said: “Due to an administrative error, a small number of postal voters were issued two postal vote packs for this election.

"These postal voters were written to, making them aware of the situation and explaining that they need only return one of these packs, but that if they returned both, only the first returned would be processed and counted.

“Election staff were made aware of the issue and removed any second postal vote packs returned by any of these voters. We are therefore certain that this issue had no impact on the outcome of the election.”

Labour's Alan Liversidge received 595 votes. Ted Hall, from the North East Party came second with 214 votes, with Ukip's Lee-Hames Harris third with 131 votes. Michael Anderson, from the Liberal Democrats received 107 votes, Conservative candidate Beaty Bainbridge got 67 votes and the Green Party's Martie Warin received 19 votes.

Cllr Andrew Watson, agent for North East Party candidate, said the party had discussed the issue with the returning officer and was pleased with how the authority handled the problem.

"I think they did what was required," he added.