HAMBLETON District Council is changing the way it keeps information recorded in the electoral register.

The register, which is compiled by the authority, lists the names and addresses of everyone registered to vote.

Until now, the council had to make it available for anyone to look at - and any company, organisation or individual could buy a copy as well.

But under changes being brought in by the Government, there will now be two registers - the full and the edited version.

People can decide whether or not they want to be on the edited register, which will be available for general sale and can be used for any purpose - including marketing.

For more information, contact the council's electoral registration office on (01609) 767131.