DETECTIVES in Nelson are investigating suspected forged proxy and postal vote applications after being called in by election officers.

Police officers on patrol at polling stations during the local elections on May 4 will be on the lookout for suspicious activity.

More than 900 proxy vote applications were submitted to Pendle Council, more than half as many again as last year. Of those 450 were from Whitefield and more than 200 from Bradley. The suspected forgeries are from those areas.

Almost half this year's applications were handed in just hours before the deadline for applications passed.

Election officers became suspicious of some signatures and called in the police to investigate.

Around 30 applications for absent votes are being investigated, according to the police.

"We received some applications where the signature appeared to be different from applications that had been made from the same person in the county council by-election in March," explained council solicitor Philip Mousdale. "We view any false declarations very seriously which is why the police have been asked to become involved." There were also 1,509 applications for postal votes this year, slightly up on previous years. Detective Inspector Steve Brunskill, of Nelson CID, said: "I've been asked to investigate some suspected irregularities in relation to applications for proxy and postal votes in Nelson.

"At this stage we are examining a number of application forms with a view to establishing their authenticity.

"Should any offences be disclosed we will vigorously pursue any person involved."

Det Insp Brunskill said around 30 applications are being investigated.

He added: "As part of our policing strategy for the elections officers will be in attendance at polling stations to ensure security and investigate any suspicious activity."

Mr Mousdale said no votes had been withheld despite the suspicions.

Bradley and Whitefield will be contested by all three main parties. Labour is fighting to hold Bradley and the Liberal Democrats Whitefield.

A row last year over absent votes in the Daneshouse area of Burnley sparked a near year-long police inquiry and questions about the proxy system in Parliament.