RESIDENTS will be receiving a form asking them to check and update information that appears on the electoral register for their address.

The mail-out is part of the Rossendale Council's annual voter registration canvass – which is designed to ensure that the electoral register is up-to-date and to identify any residents who are not registered so that they can be encouraged to do so.

With local elections taking place in May 2018, this is an opportunity for residents to make sure they will be able to take part.

People's names will not appear on the form if they are not currently registered.

People who have moved address recently are particularly encouraged to keep an eye out for the form and check the details.

Stuart Sugarman, returning officer for Rossendale, said: "I would urge everyone to check the form when it arrives and respond as promptly as possible.

"Not being on the electoral register means you can’t vote and have your say on how things are run.

"It will also affect your credit rating making things like getting a mortgage harder to get."

Melanie Davidson, head of Support and Improvement at the Electoral Commission, said: "It’s really important that everyone who is entitled to vote is able to do so.

"There’s lots of helpful information about registering to vote on our website www.yourvotematters.co.uk.

. If you want to register, the easiest way is online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote