Maldon District Council has apologised over a postal vote error affecting 1,172 people.

The council's chief executive Fiona Marshall, who is acting returning officer for the Maldon Parliamentary Constituency has issued the following statement.

She said: “Due to an error, 1172 postal voters in the Maldon district who fall within the Witham Parliamentary Constituency namely Wickham Bishops, the Tothams, Tollesbury, the Tolleshunts, the Braxteds, Langford and Ulting, Goldhanger and the Woodhams have been sent two Parliamentary postal votes, one for the Witham constituency and one for the Maldon constituency.

"Only the Witham constituency Parliamentary ballot paper is valid.

“I would ask that the postal voters follow the instructions which have been sent to them.

“I apologise to the postal voters in this area for this error, but would like to reassure them that we have acted swiftly to rectify this and have written to everyone concerned."

If anyone needs any clarity in completing the ballot papers, contact Maldon District Council on 01621 854477.

For official Parliamentary queries in respect of the Witham constituency please contact Braintree District Council on 01376 551414.