All Watford residents will receive letters telling them about the biggest change to the electoral registration system in nearly 100 years.

Gordon Amos, Watford Borough Council's electoral services manager, will write to 70,000 residents in the town explaining a new, more secure, system of Individual Electoral Registration is being introduced across the country.

It will replace the old Victorian system where the 'head of household' registered everyone living in a property.

Now, each individual will be responsible for registering themselves.

Many Watford residents will automatically move onto the new electoral register. However, some will need to take action to join or remain on it, which they will now also be able to do for the first time by registering quickly and easily online.

Gordon Amos said: "Look out for the letter as it will tell you if you have been automatically transferred to the new register or not. If you have not been transferred, you will need to provide some additional information and the letter will tell you exactly what you need to do."

Samantha Mills, head of campaigns at the Electoral Commission, said: "This summer the Electoral Commission will launch a major advertising campaign that will raise awareness of the change to Individual Electoral Registration.

"We welcome this change, which will lead to a more secure register and replace the outdated Victorian concept that a single 'head of household' is responsible for registering everyone."

For more information visit www.gov.uk/yourvotematters

The letters will be sent out over the summer, if you have any questions contact Watford's elections team on email: elections@watford.gov.uk and tel: 01923 278369.