COUNCIL bosses today warned voters in the Mill Hill by-election that any abuse of the postal voting service would be dealt with by the police.

The announcement was made by the returning officer for the election, Blackburn with Darwen Council chief executive Phil Watson.

Postal voting used to be for people who would not be in the country at the time of elections but, in 2001, Blackburn with Darwen piloted a scheme whereby anyone could have a postal vote -- and is continuing its campaign to increase voter turnout.

Despite claims that some forms were not sent out in time for the 2001 elections -- which prompted the council to urge people to hand their postal forms into polling station on election day, effectively defeating the purpose of postal votes in the first place -- no cases of postal votes fraud were proven.

Overall, more people have voted after being given the chance to use postal votes. In 2000, voter turnout in elections was 29 per cent, but that has since risen to 40 per cent.

The Mill Hill by-election has been called because Lib Dem councillor Edmund Critchley has retired to go and live in the south with his family.

Four parties are standing, including the BNP. The BNP is fielding Darwen man Robin Evans.

Also standing is former Labour councillor Gail Barton, who was ousted from her seat in May. The Conservatives are putting up Karl Turner, and the Lib Dems David D'arcy.

The by-election will take place on November 21.

Mr Watson said: "We are keen to encourage people to vote and, in doing so, we want to make voting as easy as possible.

"One way of doing this is to have a postal vote. The law was recently changed so that postal votes are available on demand.

"Many electors have already taken up the option and will receive postal votes for this by-election, but it is not too late to apply for a postal vote for this by-election for those people who don't already have one.

"There has been some concern about the abuse of postal voting in the May elections nationally. I am liaising with the police and any abuse of postal voting, where electors are coerced into handing over their postal vote to someone else, will be dealt with severely.

"However, genuine electors who wish to place their own vote by post have absolutely nothing to fear and I would urge electors in Mill Hill to take advantage of this opportunity for 'armchair voting'."

Applications for a postal vote have to be in by November 13. For more information, ring 01254 585920.