Do not miss chance to vote

The advertisements, appearing on 24 Stagecoach buses over the next six weeks, are designed to encourage people to return the electoral registration forms sent to them recently as soon as possible.

Arun District Council's electoral team is working in partnership with Adur, Worthing and Chichester Councils on this year's campaign.

Nearly 45,000 of the 69,230 forms delivered to Arun households have already been returned, but it is hoped the new bus adverts will remind those who still have not returned them to get them back promptly.

New legislation now means that if forms are not returned on time the electoral registration officer's staff will have to pay non-responding households a personal visit to collect the form.

Registering to vote not only gives citizens a voice at election time but it can also help to open a bank account, obtain a mortgage, loan or other credit as it is a major source of information for financial institutions doing credit checks.

Arun District Council's Chief Executive and Returning Officer Ian Sumnall said: 'The electoral register has to be updated every year by law.

'We are urging people not to put the forms to one side but to check and confirm their details and return them in the freepost envelope provided, so that they do not get forgotten.

'If you do not return your form an Electoral Registration Canvasser will be knocking on your door asking you to complete the form. This costs the council money so help us to keep costs down by returning your form promptly.

'With the possibility of an early general election, it is even more important to make sure that you return your forms so that you can vote.'

Arun District Council's Head of Democratic Services Liz Futcher said: 'It's very important that residents register so they can make their voice heard '“ that's what democracy is all about.

'We hope that this year our work with neighbouring councils and the use of the advertising on the bus services will encourage more people to deal with their forms as they receive them.

The form needs to be returned to councils as soon as possible to ensure everyone is registered to vote.

Anyone who has not received a form yet should contact Electoral Services on 01903 737616.