NEW security measures has been taken to avoid election fraud at this year's elections, Wychavon District Council has warned.

Postal voters will have to supply their date of birth and a specimen signature if they want to have thier say.

The new security feature will appear on ballot papers along with a special security form which the voter must fill in, also with their date of birth and signature. Both must be returned for your vote to count.

But if the signature or birth date on the security statement don't match that on the application the vote will not be counted.

Amanda de Warr from Wychavon said:"This is the first time that we have operated this new procedure but we hope that it will further reduce the opportunity for fraud."

"This will stop unscrupulous people from using other people's votes."

The majority of postal votes will be sent out today (20th). Late applications might not be posted until April 26 .