The countdown to register to vote in the general election is on and the council's new head of electoral services is urging people to act now.

Richmond Council has appointed Cathy Potter to oversee the process, leading up to the big day on May 7.

Mrs Potter, who has always worked in local government, said people need to register now or risk missing out on their right to vote.

She said: "I am a big advocate of the younger generation voting at the moment.

"I love working with communities and encouraging people to vote and I do believe if you don't vote, you cannot have your say."

To find out if you are registered to vote, visit gov.uk/register-to-vote.

People must register to vote by April 20.

Help is at hand for disabled and deaf residents as a voter registration bus pulls into Twickenham next week.

Operation Disabled Vote joins the NoVoteNoVoice tour bus outside the Civic Centre, York Street, from 1pm to 3pm on Tuesday, April 14.

The visit, organised by Richmond Council in partnership with Ruils, aims to promote voting among disabled people along with encouraging more people to register to vote. 

For more information on the bus, call 020 8831 6083 or email info@ruils.co.uk.