MORE than a fifth of households in Wyre Forest have not yet registered anyone to vote in next year's elections.

Forms were delivered in October to all 45,181 district households and so far just 78 per cent have replied, meaning more than 9,700 have not responded. Reminder letters have now been sent out.

Residents are required by law to respond and register every year. Anyone who does not respond can face the risk of being fined up to £1,000.

Council officers are urging anyone who has not replied to do so as soon as possible. If people do not respond, the council has to arrange for visits to homes to collect the forms - adding to the cost or preparing the electoral register.

Ian Miller, council chief executive and electoral registration officer, said: "We understand people are even more busy than normal at this time of year but we are urging them to return their form as soon as possible. It's really quick and easy.

"If you do not need to make any changes to your form, please let us know by one of the modern methods of internet, freephone or text, as this saves the council money."

He added credit reference agencies also used information from the register to update their records, meaning those who are not on the list could find it much harder to obtain credit.

EU parliament, Wyre Forest District Council and parish council elections are due to take place on Thursday, May 22, 2014. For more information, visit wyreforestdc.gov.uk