MEMBERS of the armed forces based in the Richmondshire area are being urged to make sure their voices are heard at this year’s local elections.

The district council is administering the six Richmondshire-based seats in the North Yorkshire County Council elections on Thursday, May 2.

Electoral registration officer Tony Clark said: “We have the biggest army base at Catterick Garrison in the UK with a population of around 13,000 serving personnel – and we want to ensure they have their say on issues that affect them as local residents.

“Registering is straightforward and takes just a few minutes.”

Anyone who expects to be deployed overseas can still vote in the elections if they are registered.

For a registration form, call 01748-827096 or print one off from www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/armedforces.