BLACKPOOL Council chiefs have defended the success of their postal voting experiment - despite an independent watchdog's call for a ban on similar pilots.

A report by the Electoral Commission recommended an end to all-postal voting in a review of June's European Parliament election.

The commission said there was no evidence of increased corruption in postal votes, but expressed concern that public confidence in postal elections had been undermined.

Council leader, Cllr Roy Fisher, said: "In Blackpool all-postal voting encouraged far more people to vote in the last local elections with over half of Blackpool people casting their vote.

"50.43 per cent of Blackpool residents voted in comparison with 28.8 per cent at the previous local elections.

"That is an excellent barometer which indicates that people liked the idea and the council hopes that it can build on that success and encourage even more people to vote next time.

"The Commission has concluded that the all-postal elections in the North East, North West, East Midlands and Yorkshire and the Humber were a success and helped to deliver a significantly higher turnout in each of the four regions.

"It also has praise for the performance of election staff and the Royal Mail who were crucial in delivering the pilots.

"We also note the report's conclusion that there is no evidence suggesting that electoral fraud was more prevalent in the all-postal regions than in the rest of the country.

"The report contains a number of important recommendations, which the government is considering and Blackpool Council endorses the view that lifestyles and working patterns have changed significantly over the past 50 years. It is, therefore, right that we should develop systems to take account of those changes, making voting more convenient by developing a truly multi-channel approach to future elections - extending choice and opportunity to electors to have their say."

Commission chairman, Sam Younger, said: "We remain committed to a goal of multi-channel elections, provided that levels of security and confidence can be maintained, working towards true 21st century democracy where electors choose the method, day and time to vote.

"However, the law and policy supporting remote voting methods need further reform before secure and convenient elections can be delivered."

The commission had previously supported all-postal elections, but has now called for a new model which would allow voters to use polling stations if they prefer.