VOTERS in Bolton will be making their views known electronically this year -- in the first step towards a voting revolution.

The Government has announced that Bolton Council will pilot a scheme in May using electronic voting machines.

As part of a drive to get more people interested in local government after a worrying decline in voter turn-out, the council is now looking at faster and more convenient ways for the electorate to have their say.

And this is the first step in an "e-voting" launch that will soon be followed by internet, e-mail and telephone voting.

All of the town's 140 polling stations will use an electronic machine for people to cast their choices. The votes will then be counted electronically.

"The Government is keen for local authorities to pilot various electronic voting methods and we want to be at the head of any innovation," said Chief Executive Bernard Knight.

Bolton Council handles a budget of about £260 million of public money spent on services across the board. But just 26.8 per cent of the public voted in the last local elections, compared with 72 per cent nationally.

In 2000 the council piloted postal voting for everyone in Farnworth, Bromley Cross and Smithills and saw figures rise 50 per cent as a result.

So this year people are also able to demand a postal vote from the council without a reason.

Information about how the system will work will be provided for the electorate.