WHILE Bush and Gore battle it out in the courts in the fight to the White House, the British electorate must be breathing a sigh of relief that our voting system is a simple cross in a box.

Unlike the Americans, who adapted an electronic stamping method for their presidential election two weeks ago, the Brits have used the secret ballot paper voting method for more than a century.

In Preston, the ballot box hand count has never failed to deliver a winner first time around -- even if it is not to the liking of the unselected candidate!

And this is the system which is being used in the Preston by-election (November 23) as candidates battle for the seat of the late MP Audrey Wise.

Although the election candidates may be scoring their cross in a different box, most are united in the belief that our system is a winner.

Lib Dem contender Bill Chadwick said: "We have no objection to the paper ballot method but I dare say it may change one day with computerisation. And I think it's nice that the returning officer announces the winner instead of a television presenter!"

Lancashire Socialist Alliance (Labour independent) candidate Terry Cartwright agreed saying: "It's an old fashioned system that works well, but I think we're heading toward a computerised system. I think it would be a good idea to have mobile polling stations." Conservative candidate Graham O'Hare says our voting method is straight to the point.

He added: "It's simple and the boxes are big and well spaced. I think America's method was done for speed, but I would rather have a slow system that works."

Peter Garrett, the candidate for The Preston Alliance -- Christian People's Alliance, said: "What has happened in America is a bit of a dog's dinner! But I think that our method of counting gives people a bit of involvement in the election."

UK Independence Party candidate Gregory Beaman added: "I think it's quite an efficient system and the results arrive in good time."

A spokesman for Mark Hendrick said: "Mark is happy with the existing system, it is easy and simple to understand."

But a spokesman for the British National Party candidate Michael Jackson believes that a computerised system for voting could be the way forward if it was open to the masses.

He added: "It would have to be a fool proof system however if it were to replace the one we have."

Battle of Britain Christian Alliance Party candidate David Franklin-Braid was unavailable for comment.