Warwick's MP has urged residents to make sure they have an eligible form of ID in order to vote in the upcoming local elections.

But MP for Warwick and Leamington Matt Western has also criticised the new government scheme, labelling a waste of public money and time.

Voters will have to show a form of photo identification for the first time ever when they go to the polls in May, following the passing of the government's elections bill in January 2022.

Previously, as long as voters' names appeared on the electoral register, they were able to vote and there had been no widespread cases of fraud in recent elections, with only four convictions of voter fraud in the 2019 general election.

A free form of voter identification is now available which voters, that are without any photo ID, can apply for.

As of last month, only one per cent of those without photo I.D. have applied, meaning that as of last month, just over 21,000 people had applied, out of the estimated two million who are without I.D.

Local Labour MP Mr Western said this was "shocking".

"These actions by the Conservative government are unnecessary and a massive waste of public money and time," he said.

"Just four people were convicted of fraud in 2019.

"So there is no evidence of widespread voter fraud in the UK nor risk of our elections being undermined by fraud. Yet it will cost millions of pounds to implement these new measures.

"At a time when people's purse strings are being pulled tighter and tighter, I'm sure the money being dished out for these unnecessary steps would be better used elsewhere."

The deadline to register to vote is 17 April and the deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on 18 April.

If people without photo identification need to apply for a free voter authority certificate, the deadline to do so is 5pm on 25 April.