A NEW way of registering details for the electoral role is proving a success with voters.

Harrogate Borough Council's canvass of electors is under way and electoral registration forms are being delivered to every home in the district.

The authority is one of more than 100 across the country, which are working with Electoral Reform Services to offer residents an innovative and easier way to register. By dialling a free-phone line, households where details have not changed can confirm their details in minutes in a service that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Harrogate's senior elections officer Karen Birdsall said she was delighted with early results of the system - with 1,600 calls made in the first two days.

"Being able to pick up the phone and do the job at the most convenient time is obviously proving to be a benefit," she said.

"Residents do not even have to worry about whether they have followed the instructions correctly, if they haven't, the system lets us know and then we can write direct to them to make sure everything is in order and they are properly registered."

Households wanting to inform the council about changes must still complete the canvass form, and return it to the council offices.