DEREK and Lorna Snape turned up at the polling station yesterday -- only to be told their names were not on the list and they were not allowed in.

The couple were among the 12,000 who applied to Blackburn with Darwen Council to vote by post.

They said they sent their applications before the May 30 deadline, but heard nothing since.

Early this week polling cards landed on their Rowen Park doorstep, in Beardwood, leading 42-year-old Derek to assume he must vote in person.

But when he made his way to his nearest polling station at Lammack Primary School yesterday he was told he was on the list as having a postal vote and would not be allowed to make his choice.

Derek said: "They wouldn't let me vote because I was down on the electoral register as having a postal vote. It's crazy, especially when they come round asking for your support and go on about every vote is needed. That's two votes lost and I don't get the chance to say who I want to run the country."

Derek applied to vote by post because of his shift work at Whitbread, in Samlesbury. Wife Lorna works full time at Taylor Solicitors in Blackburn, and he thought it would be easier.

He said: "We have always voted and would have voted for Labour, but it's a missed chance. I'm a bit miffed about it all." Blackburn with Darwen Council landed the blame squarely with the Royal Mail who promised to investigate on Derek's behalf.

A spokesman for the council said: "The last batch of postal votes went out on Saturday morning by First Class post and Mr Snape should have received it and if he hasn't it is a matter for Royal Mail."

He added that anybody that has applied for a postal vote would not be permitted to go to a polling station to vote.

Royal Mail today said it would be happy to investigate the blunder -- the latest in a series of election errors which has seen election leaflets lost or posted to the wrong towns.

A spokesman said: "Royal Mail is fully aware of the huge importance to customers of the postal votes.

"Any election mail we have received has been given top priority and treated with great care and attention through all the stages of it's journey.

"In Blackburn most of the election mail was received by the weekend and was delivered on Saturday or Monday.

"If, however, Mr Snape has complaints about his postal vote we would urge him to contact our customer service department on 08457 740740 as soon as he possibly can so we can investigate for him."