I WOULD like to thank the Daily Echo for giving the publicity to the fact that expats have now the right to vote in local and national elections it’s a shame we missed the referendum.

I want to point out although after your encouragement for my wife and I to get registered, it is not as easy as you have portrayed.

The first part was easy applying on line, which I did for both of us, its then forwarded to your last postal area where you voted (Bournemouth) until 1992 - 93.

We were obliged as part of the employment to be resident on the premises as manager of Knole Lodge Unison convalescent home.

It was then sold after I and my wife had departed and converted into apartments, the post code were subsequently changed. The council then said they had no records of us and wanted proof of our residency after 30 years of living in France this was a problem.

I submitted copies of passport, (P60 . pension slips from Unison) and a letter addressed to Mr Fleming Officer in charge Knole Lodge also from Unison, reluctantly this was the only document they would accept but this did not cover the right for my wife to vote as she was not named so after more procedures we have finally been accepted.

This could all have been verified by one telephone call to UNISON HQ London to verify the facts of our employment and residency.

It’s a sham balls.

Ian Fleming

Indre Et Loire

France