DARWEN and Rossendale MP Janet Anderson has hit out at Tory leader Michael Howard and called him a 'hypocrite' after he sent letters to residents in her constituency urging them to apply for a postal vote.

Mrs Anderson said the Conservatives tried to stop postal voting being given the go-ahead after electors were given the right to vote by post.

The announcement follows weeks of debate between the House of Commons and the House of Lords to which consent was finally given for the North West to join the North East and East Midlands in undertaking the largest ever all postal voting pilot schemes.

It is hoped the move will increase voter numbers by not having to go to polling stations.

In his letter, which has hit controversy, Michael Howard said: "Voting by post means that however busy you are on Thursday, June 10, and on any future election, your voice will still be heard."

The letter has been met with fierce criticism from the Labour MP, who said: "This is rank hypocrisy from a party which time and again in the House of Lords opposed the legislation to allow everyone in the North West a postal vote in June."

She added: "It was thanks to Labour MPs in the Commons that the Bill finally went through so everyone will have the postal vote the Tories tried to deny them."

Electors will receive their ballot paper by post and will be asked to return their vote by Election Day - June 10.

People can only vote if their name is on the Register of Electors. Anyone not included on the current register or anyone who has moved house and needs their details updating will have until tomorrow to submit an application in time for the elections.