MORE than 40,000 letters were sent to residents this week as the borough as part of a scheme to encourage more people to vote in next year's local borough elections.

The next round of elections will take place in May 2019 and neighbours are being warned not to lose their voice.

A household enquiry form was sent out to residents and they need to be returned to the borough council as soon as possible as part of the authority's annual canvass.

More than 40,000 households have failed to respond so far and letters are being sent out urging neighbours to fill out the form.

After that, officers will go around to households which have failed to respond, starting in September.

Christopher Brooks, electoral registration returning officer at Reading Borough Council, said: "It’s important that residents respond as soon as possible, so we can make sure we have the right details on the electoral register for every address in Reading.

"To make sure you are able to have your say at elections taking place next year, simply check the form when it arrives and respond as soon as you can.

“If you’re not currently registered, your name will not appear on the form. If you want to register, the easiest way is online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote, or we’ll send you information explaining how to do this in the post. In any case, you will still need to complete the form and send it back to us.”

People who have moved address recently are particularly encouraged to keep an eye out for the form and check the details.

Research by the independent Electoral Commission indicates that recent home movers are far less likely to be registered than those that have lived at the same address for a long time.

Across Great Britain, 94 per cent of people who have been at their property for more than sixteen years will be registered, compared to 40 per cent of people who have lived at an address for less than one year.

Residents who have any questions can contact their local registration team at elections@reading.gov.uk or on 0118 937 3717.