Residents are being urged to ensure they are registered to vote before the deadline next week.

This year marks the first general election where individuals can register to vote online.

It takes a matter of minutes and residents need only ensure that they have their National Insurance number and date of birth to hand.

This is first time since 1979 that the Parliamentary elections coincide with the District and Town and Parish elections, resulting in several elections in one day.

As a consequence it is hugely important for individuals to register so they are able to have a say about who runs their local services and their country.

Christian Everett, elections manager for Sevenoaks District Council says: “Elections are a hugely important time and the bigger the turn out the better as it means more people get to have their say. However, if residents aren’t registered to vote this can’t happen.

"We would hate to turn people away from the polls, but if they aren’t on the electoral register we simply cannot allow them to vote. I would urge those who are not registered to do so before the 20 April deadline by going online or getting in touch with the Council”.

Statistics, produced by YouGov and the Electoral Commission, indicate that some people simply haven’t got round to registering, with 60% of those who have moved in the last year no longer registered.

The deadline for registering is April 20.

To register online visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote, or call Sevenoaks District Council on 01732 227000.