HEREFORDSHIRE residents are being urged to make sure they respond to the Electoral Registration forms sent to about 80,000 households last month.

Anyone who fails to return their form may find they can't open a bank account, get a credit card or mobile phone contract, as the register is used by many companies and organisations to verify personal details.

The forms have been sent out to establish whether any changes need to be made to the information it holds so it can publish the new Electoral Register in December.

If nothing has changed, people can notify the council by phone or by logging on to its website.

Calling the freephone number on 0800 197 4915 or visit www.herefordshire.org.uk and follow the link to Register of Electors.