SCORES of residents face being unable to vote by post in next week's elections after officials were swamped by more than 12,000 applications for ballot papers.

And the government said it would "seriously" look at closing election nomination deadlines early in the future after Blackburn with Darwen Council said it may be the only way of preventing the problem arising again.

The council, which led the way in encouraging people to vote through the mail, said more time was needed to deal with requests.

Since letters were sent out to every resident in the borough encouraging postal voting, more than 1,000 people a day have applied, bringing the total to around 12,000 -- compared with just 1,000 in the run up to the 1997 general election.

Blackburn with Darwen Council was one of the most pro-active councils in promoting postal votes, writing to every resident in the borough explaining a change in the law allowing more people to qualify.

Most other councils, including Lancashire County Council, only issued posters and adverts.

But now people are worried that they may miss out on their vote if their ballot papers are not sent out in time.

The council also admitted that some people who intend to vote by post could also receive a normal poll card but should ignore this as they will be unable to vote twice.

Jack Straw said the government would look into Blackburn with Darwen Council's suggestion of closing nominations earlier to deal with the demand for postal votes.

He said the change allowing people to request them on demand had proved unexpectedly successful.

He said: "My agent Bill Taylor has been in touch with the council who have taken on extra temporary staff and are doing all they can to get the votes out in time.

"My understanding is that this will be the case but anyone going on holiday who is concerned should contact the council.

"The change went ahead only with the active support of Conservatives and Liberal Democrats. We would not have done it otherwise.

"The Government will, with the other parties, review electoral law in the light of what happens on June 7.

"We will obviously take account of representations from Blackburn about moving the close of nominations earlier to prevent any rush.

"We will look seriously at whether such a change would help in future in view of the take up of postal votes this time."

Mr Straw, as Home Secretary, is responsible for the running of elections.

John Cotton, conservative parliamentary candidate for Blackburn, said: "The figure of postal voters has rocketed since last Friday and although council staff are working extremely hard they are overwhelmed.

"The plan to write to everyone in Blackburn and Darwen was a good idea but has been badly executed."

But Malcolm Doherty, the Labour leader of Blackburn Council, said ballot papers could not be printed or sent out until nominations had closed and revealed that the council would be urging the government to move the date when candidates have to declare themselves earlier in future.

The deadline for postal vote applications was Wednesday night.

Michael Riley, communications officer for Blackburn with Darwen Council, said that people could take their postal ballot paper in to the town hall before 10pm on Thursday if they received it late although he admitted this would defeat the point of the postal vote.

He said some postal ballot papers had started to arrive at people's homes on Tuesday but they could not guarantee they would all be sent out in time.

Mr Riley said that if ballot papers did not arrive people could call the helpline on 01254 585920 and if they have still not received them on Thursday they should call the electoral register office on 01254 585654.

He added: "We did expect this volume of applications and had put procedures in place to deal with it, although the helpline has still been busy.

"About 80 per cent of those applying have ticked the box to say they want to vote by post at all future elections which shows that it was a good idea."

Mr Cotton said: "About 30 of our supporters have called into the office and we have had several meetings about this very problem.

"Some of the postal votes won't arrive until Monday which is too late if people are on holiday Saturday to Saturday.

"It is a crying shame and I feel as sorry for other party's supporters as my own."

One resident, of Whalley Terrace, Livesey, who did not want to be named said he was going abroad on holiday with his wife on Sunday and had sent his application form in early last week.

But he claimed he had still only received one ballot paper for the local election and that his wife's form has been lost in the system.Coun Doherty added: "It wasn't badly executed. You can't send out ballot papers until you know whose been nominated.

"Nominations didn't close until last week and ballot papers started going out and will continue to go out over the next couple of days. "It was not a waste of council taxpayers money as it is part of our Public Service Agreement with the government to try and increase the turn-out at elections. We were given specific money from the government to do this so it has had no effect on the council tax or on council services.

"It has been a rush and we have taken on temporary staff to deal with it like we do at elections."

A spokesman for the Electoral Commission said: "This is the first time so many people have been able to vote by post so this year will be something of a benchmark for future elections."