North Devon residents are being urged to check their electoral registration details and avoid the risk of losing their voice on decisions that affect them.

North Devon Council is starting its annual canvass, where it will be getting in touch with every household to check the electoral register is up to date, and to identify any residents who should be registered but are currently missing.

From 14 July and throughout July, August and September, emails will be sent to verified email addresses held on file, asking electors to confirm the held details are correct, or update them if necessary. The council will also be sending letters to households from the end of July.

Reminders will be sent to those who do not respond, so electors are asked to confirm their details promptly where possible.

Ken Miles, Chief Executive and Electoral Registration Officer at North Devon Council, said: "The annual canvass is an important process as we make sure the information on the electoral register for each address is accurate and up to date. Residents will receive either an email or letter from us, and I would like to reassure them that these are not scams, but an important part of the voting system which should not be ignored.

"To make sure you don't lose your say at future elections, simply follow the instructions sent to you. It only takes five minutes to confirm the details or update them. If you want to register to vote, you can do so quickly and easily by visiting gov.uk/register-to-vote."

Recent home movers in particular are urged to check their details. Electoral Commission research has found that recent home movers are less likely to be registered than those who have lived at the same address for a long time. In Great Britain, 92% of those who have lived in their home for 16 years will be registered, compared with 36% of people who have lived at an address for less than a year.

Information on registering to vote is available on the Electoral Commission website.

Residents with questions about their registration status can contact their North Devon Council's Elections team by emailing elections@northdevon.gov.uk