10% of District Council residents (that's approx 4,000 properties) have yet to return their Register of Electors form to enable them to vote in any elections during 2000.

"People are unaware of the cost to the Council in compiling the Register of Electors and that these forms are a vital part of the democratic process,"

says Bernadette O'Hare, Administrative and Electoral Services Manager.

"If people do not have their names on the Register of Electors they will be unable to vote during 2000, and there is every possibility that a Referendum on Europe and the Euro may be held.

"The register is also used by all Banks and Credit Reference Agencies and so people who fail to appear on it also risk being refused credit, or obtaining bank accounts and mortgages."

The qualification date was 10 October 1999 and people are urged to return their forms if they have not already done so. The Register comes into force on 16 February 2000.