RESIDENTS in West Devon are being urged not to lose their vote in the Devon County Council elections on Thursday, May 2.

More than 43,000 people are already registered to vote in the borough but those who are not need to act now if they want their voice to be heard.

The registration deadline is April 17.

The Electoral Commission is warning people about websites offering a paid registration service but it is free of charge to register with West Devon Borough Council.

Residents can request a registration form by calling the borough council on 01822 813665 or they can collect one from the borough council's offices at Kilworthy Park in Tavistock or the Okehampton Customer Services Centre.

Alternatively, residents can print a form on the council's website http://www.westdevon.gov.uk">www.westdevon.gov.uk and send it to the council.

People who have moved house recently or moved into the area will need to register with their new address.

Residents planning to be away from home on May 2 can apply now to vote by post or proxy.

Completed postal vote applications must be received by the council's elections office at Kilworthy Park, Tavistock, by 5pm on Wednesday, April 17 and completed proxy vote applications by 5pm Wednesday, April 24.