MINISTERS have been urged to look at changing the law to make it easier to overturn bungled election counts.

It came as Highworth voters and town council candidates prepared a petition asking the High Court for a recount of ballots cast in the Highworth Town Council election.

Earlier this month, 10 town councillors were elected with more votes than were actually cast. Swindon Borough Council, which ran the count, has since admitted the error - but said it cannot legally recount the votes.

Now, North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson has written to Cabinet Office minister Kevin Foster urging him to consider changing the laws surrounding election counts. He wrote: "I and everyone connected absolutely understand the need for the independent High Court to resolve election issues where there is a dispute. However, in this case the Swindon Borough Council elections team and all of the candidates are in agreement that a simple recount would swiftly resolve this error. The law should allow this where there is unanimous agreement.

"I understand that any potential changes to the law cannot be applied retrospectively. However, I would hope at the very least the law would be changed so, in the future if there was ever a situation like this to arise where everyone was in agreement, common sense could be applied and the great distress that has been caused could have been avoided."

The problems resulting from the election count had left Highworth Town Council "in limbo", he added. "No one wishes to take forward official duties whilst their position is in question. This is unfair on the candidates, the local community and local charities that benefit from the work of the mayor through their activities."