COUNCIL candidates have warmly greeted the new technology set to revolutionise Chorley's May elections.

The council hopefuls were given a demonstration of one of the five machines which will be operating on the night of May 2.

Angus Ward, director of manufacturers ES&S, showed how the machine could count up to 10,000 ballot papers an hour - meaning the count will be over in a matter of hours.

Candidates left convinced that security would not be compromised and that errors would be avoided in the counting process.

Mr Ward said that tests on the machines showed that they mis-read only one in ten million votes.

Councillor Peter Goldsworthy, who is standing for re-election for the Conservatives in Euxton South, said: "I think it is an excellent idea. It is simple and straightforward and hopefully will encourage people to vote."

Martin O'Loughlin, the council's head of administrative services at the council, outlined how the election would work.

Ballot papers, including instructions and a pre-paid envelope, will be hand delivered to voters over the weekend April 20-21. They have to be returned by May 2, the day of the count.

The ballot papers have a bar code placed on the back, this correlates to the details of the voter on the council computers at the town hall and prevents anyone having a duplicate vote.

However, the vote cast will not be tallied by the counting machine until the night of the count.

Mr O'Loughlin said that no link will be made between the vote and who has voted therefore making the ballot secret.

Election in Brief

- A huge 'thermometer' will be displayed outside the Town Hall from April 21 showing what percentage of Chorley voters have sent in their vote so far.

-Allow at least three days before the day of the count to post your vote.

-It is impossible to photocopy the ballot papers.

-In the event of a power cut a hand count will be made.

-The ballot papers are to be stored in fire proof vaults for protection.

- In the event of a re-count, the machines will be used first, and if necessary a manual count can be made.

-There are no Parish Council elections as no seats were contested.

- If you lose or spoil your ballot paper you can apply for a replacement up to May 1.