LETTERS will be going out this month to servicemen and women who are qualified to vote in the borough of Stockton asking them how they want to take part in May's all-postal voting elections.

Until now, servicemen and women serving overseas, or others working away from home, including electors who are ill, have generally appointed a proxy to vote on their behalf.

However, this year Stockton Borough Council is to be one of 41 local authorities across the country that are holding all-postal voting pilot schemes in the district and parish council elections.

As every elector, including proxies, will be voting by post, there is less reason to appoint a postal proxy.

People who are working away from home will now have the choice to have ballot papers sent to them, or if they prefer they can still appoint a proxy.

Letters will be sent out this month to all those who have registered to have a proxy vote to ask their preference.

If there is no reply after three weeks, the council will assume the proxy must stand and letters will be sent out to all nominated proxies to confirm their nomination and the address where they will be.

If those living abroad choose to vote themselves the ballot papers will be sent out between Tuesday, April 1 and Thursday, April 10 to give them time to get their vote back in time for the elections on May 1.

Those living elsewhere in Britain will have their ballot papers posted on Friday, April 11, while all other electors living in the borough will have their ballot papers hand delivered on Sunday, April 13.