FOREST residents are being urged to check their voter registration details are up to date to ensure they are eligible to vote in elections due next year.

The Forest Council is carrying out its annual canvass to update the electoral register.

Theprocess helps identify anyone at risk of losing their right to vote and ensures that everyone eligible is properly registered and ready to take part in future elections.

The next district-wide elections will take place next May to elect councillors to the new single council for the whole of Gloucestershire.

It will replace the current Gloucestershire County Council and the six district councils including Forest of Dean District Council.

As part of the annual canvass process, the Council's Electoral Services team will contact residents by email or letter to confirm voter registration details. Residents are encouraged to respond by email where possible, helping to streamline the process and reduce the need for paper correspondence.

All emails will be sent from [email protected] with the subject line of ‘Annual Canvass - Update your household information’.

Only one member of the household needs to respond.

Nigel Brinn, the council’s Chief Executive and Electoral Registration Officer said: “The annual canvass helps us confirm that the information we hold for each household is accurate.

"Please check that the people listed at your address are correct and follow the instructions we send you. “If you are not currently registered, your name won't appear in our communications.

“Don't forget to include any 16 or 17-year-olds living at your address when responding.

"Taking a few minutes to respond now will help ensure you're registered and ready to vote in the May 2027 elections."

Residents who have recently moved are particularly encouraged to check their registration status.

For more information visit: www.fdean.gov.uk/annualcanvass