Voters are at last seizing the opportunity to post their ballot papers for the May 1 election.

The experiment of a postal-only ballot at Brighton and Hove City Council is expected to draw at least as many voters out of the woodwork as the last election achieved.

Votes to determine the council's political make-up are now flooding in after an initially slow period.

Any system that can help to cut apathy among the electorate has to be applauded.

Free elections are taken for granted in this country.

However, they are an important part of living in a democracy and allow people to take part in the democratic process.

This is why is it essential to make your vote count.