A new polling station is needed ahead of May’s general election to cater for the increased numbers now living in the west of the borough, it has been claimed.

Richard Baker, of Stamford Ward Residents' Association, has lived in the Noble Park development for three years.

He believes its residents and those of Manor Park, both in the Horton area of Epsom, need a polling station closer than their current one which is a mile away in Christchurch.

He said: "It seems no account has been taken of the shift in the population of the borough towards the west where so much building of residential homes has taken place in recent years.

"We are often told how apathetic we have all become when it comes to participating in the democratic process.

"But this apathy is only encouraged when no effort is made to locate a single additional polling station within easy reach of the housing developments on the old hospital sites."

Mr Baker suggested a polling station could be set up in Old Moat Garden Centre on Horton Lane, Ramsay House in Noble Park, Horton Chapel or the West Park or Cottage hospitals.

But a council spokesman said all those options have been considered and "there is no building in that area which is suitable for a polling station".

He added: "A few years ago we ran a polling station from Horton Country Park but this didn’t work as people did not go there.

"The polling station is no further than a mile away. People can register for postal votes as well."