PEOPLE in an East Lancashire town are being offered two new ways to cast their vote - phone or the internet.

Chorley Borough Council is one of just four in the country being allowed to try out the new ways of voting.

Last year, it was one of just a handful to go for a postal-vote-only poll, with no polling stations opening.

Turnout rose to 61 per cent - more than double the turnout in other parts of East Lancashire, where people only use postal votes if they have registered in advance.

Now voters in Chorley are to be given the choice of voting by post, over the phone or on the internet.

People with touch tone phones will be able to vote using their phones while a special website will be set up for people with access to the internet.

Each person will have their own unique polling number which will give them access to each service, ensuring that fraudulent votes cannot be cast.

As a result of the extra ways to vote, Chorley not be opening any polling stations on May 1.

Chorley Council's head of administrative services and deputy returning officer, Martin O'Laughlin, said: "We decided to do this to build on the success of the May 2002 results when 61.5 per cent of the people of Chorley voted, the highest turnout in the country.

"By adding these ways of voting, we are giving voters even more choice. It is voting at your fingertips and it makes it easier for people to take full advantage of their right to vote."

From April 20, electors will receive voting packs containing details on how to vote.

People then have to make sure their vote is recorded and reaches the Town Hall by 9pm on May 1.

Mr O'Laughlin said: "We are attempting to provide something to suit everyone as far as voting methods are concerned.

"We know that we will be the media spotlight during the election campaign and we also know that for this experimenting to be a success the support of the people of Chorley is vital."