VOTING forms for the local and European elections had to be with Royal Mail staff today if they were to meet a delivery deadline.

And in East Lancashire, local councils have met the Electoral Commission's June 1 target, unlike other North West authorities that have been hit by printing problems.

Many homes have already received ballot papers - escaping the problems plaguing other postal voting pilot areas.

Prime Minister Tony Blair said he was given a personal assurance forms would be with voters in time for the June 10 election, with the Royal Mail expected to deliver ballot forms this week. But councils have been struggling to get them to the postal service in time for the legal deadline today.

Conservative and Liberal Democrat politicians said the pilots have collapsed and that the vote result could be at risk.

But earlier this week constitutional affairs minister, Christopher Leslie, said claims the new postal ballot system was in shambles were "wildly overstated."

He said millions of people would be voting in the trials and he dismissed opposition claims as politically-motivated.

Even if deadlines are missed, the Electoral Commission said the elections cannot be cancelled unless the Government introduces emergency legislation. But local representatives have said the postal vote system is fraught with problems.

Hyndburn Council leader, Peter Britcliffe, said: "People have contacted me to say they have made a mistake with the forms. Some have not been signed, others have ripped the envelope. It's a complete nightmare."

Coun Britcliffe also claimed voters were worried about confidentiality, with residents having to fill in a declaration of identity to ensure their vote is counted. He added: "Some people think the security is being lost because they have to ask someone else to sign a form."