ELECTION officials today moved to reassure residents in south York they will get postal votes in time after a mistake meant 1,500 had to be hand delivered.

Selby District Council admitted on Friday that about 1,500 voters who had asked for postal votes had not received their packs.

This included York properties on the northern tip of the Selby parliamentary boundary: Askham Bryan, Askham Richard, Copmanthorpe, Wheldrake, Elvington, Dunnington, Fulford and Heslington.

An investigation has been launched and the council said a problem with distribution or late production of ballot papers could be behind the setback.

A Selby District Council spokesman admitted a "significant amount" of packs were involved.

He said the council did not want to put the late batch in the post because of the Bank Holiday, so they were hand delivered.

He said anyone with concerns about the issue should phone the council's election department on 01757 705101.

Completed postal forms can be posted or delivered back to the civic centre before Thursday, he added.

John Grogan, Selby Labour candidate, said his office phone was ringing off the hook with people complaining about late postal forms.

A City of York Council spokeswoman said no election problems had been reported at the Guildhall.

Updated: 10:17 Monday, May 02, 2005