RESIDENTS in Wiltshire are being urged to register to vote in the general election as the deadline approaches.

There is now less than a week left to register to vote and people are being encouraged to do so and have their say on who runs the country.

The simple registration process, which ends on May 22, takes no more than five minutes to complete.

Postal votes will be dispatched on or around May 26, and if that is likely to be too late for some people, then postal voters can change their arrangements to a proxy vote by no later than May 23.

Carlton Brand, Wiltshire’s returning officer and Wiltshire Council corporate director, said: “It has been a busy election period and thousands of people have registered to vote since this election was called a few weeks ago.

“No matter who is elected the outcome will have an impact in Wiltshire so it’s important people have the opportunity to have their say and get out and vote.

“It goes without saying, the right to vote cannot be taken lightly and we hope as many people as possible take up the opportunity.”

The general election will take place on June 8 with the count taking place overnight.

Visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote to register.