Almost 20,000 people have received the wrong information on their polling cards following a printing blunder.

A total 19,000 people in Ashford borough were sent the cards for the June European and Kent County Council elections.

Ashford Borough Council explained that information on voting normally for postal electors was mistakenly printed on the backs of those meant for people using polling stations.

The authority says that this was due to a system error during the print run involving printers Electoral Reform Services.

Trevor Robertson, council head of democratic services, said: "Ashford Borough Council learned of the error the day after the cards were sent out when several members of the public contacted us.

"Electoral Reform Services has accepted full responsibility for the mistake and immediately sent out replacement cards and an apology to all affected voters."

All those affected have now received the replacements, which are a different colour to the original white ones.

The company met all additional printing and postage costs and has also paid for the extra staff time the council needed to field public queries.

Mr Robertson said this was the first time such an error had occurred in ERS and praised its swift response.

If anyone has queries about their polling card contact the electoral services helpline on 01233 330402.