IT'S not too late for people to vote even if they have not yet sent in postal ballot forms.

Councils will still accept them today if they are delivered before the deadlines at designated centres.

Wear Valley District Council is piloting its postal and electronic voting in partnership with Derwentside and Chester-le-Street district councils.

Voters who have not already posted their ballot papers, can leave them at various collection point in the three districts before 4pm.

The collection points are: Civic Centre, Consett; Stanley council offices, Front Street; Lanchester District Office; Civic Centre, Chester-le-Street; Civic Centre, Crook; Council Offices, Bishop Auckland; Tourist Information Centre, Stanhope, Weardale; and the Neighbourhood Office, Langley Park.

In the Sedgefield Borough Council area, council housing offices will act as drop-off points.

Closing times are: Trimdon 12.30pm, Ferryhill 4pm, Shildon and Newton Aycliffe 4.30pm. The council offices at Green Lane, Spennymoor, will be open until 5pm, when the poll closes.

* In the Darlington Borough Council area, where it is also an all-postal vote for the first time, people have until 9pm.

The drop-off points are: the town hall reception; Cockerton library; Crown Street library; the Dolphin Centre reception; Eastbourne Sports Complex reception; and Neighbourhood Houses at 1-3 Hammond Drive, Skerne Park; 112/114 Whitby Way, Branksome; and 23/25 Helmsley Moor Way, Firthmoor.