A COUNCIL leader has criticised a poor response to electoral registration forms.

Middlesbrough Borough Council sent 61,000 forms to households across the town for people to fill in so they would be included on the voters' roll.

Those not included will not be eligible to vote in any election next year. But, although October's deadline to return the forms is looming, the council has received only half.

Council leader Ken Walker said: "Quite frankly, I am staggered and appalled at the level of returns.

"The right to vote is one of our most precious rights - we can never take it for granted. We are just asking people to spend five minutes and fill in a form."

Coun Walker warned that people who are not registered as voters will miss out on the possible chance of choosing the town's first elected mayor.

"Next year in Middlesbrough, depending on the outcome of next month's referendum, we could be having a vote on whether to have an elected mayor, with wide-ranging powers," he said.

"That will be a key issue for how the town develops. I would appeal to anyone who has not returned their form to do so now."

For more information, and help with filling in forms, ring the electoral register office, on (01642) 263664.