TOWN hall chiefs are set to make voting easier for people who have sight problems.

Large posters will be displayed at polling stations so that they can note the position of the person they want to vote for on the ballot paper. The council will also be doubling the size of a declaration of identity paper which people who apply for postal votes have to sign.

Cllr Bob Howarth, Bolton Council leader, said: "We are looking at items such as this all the time to see if any improvements can be implemented to help people when they go to vote. Action can range from redesigning the ballot paper to improving the lighting at polling stations or outlining the slot in the ballot box in white.

"Many are quite simple ideas, but can be of tremendous help to people."

A report will go to the next meeting of the council's management and finance committee. Among the other ideas put forward are increasing the size of the ballot paper, an approach to the talking newspaper for the blind to include an article about going to vote.

The council will also look at the possible use of advertising on local radio and a change of colour of the voting paper at combined elections when there is a general and local election on the same day.

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