A BEEFED-UP security operation is swinging into action for tomorrow's General Election across Worcestershire, it has emerged.

The Worcester News can reveal how council election officials and West Mercia Police have decided to increase security due to the recent terror attacks.

Worcester City Council has taken the step of asking people looking to attend tomorrow evening's election count to not bring personal bags with them if possible, including handbags.

Searches will be conducted at the counting venue, inside Perdiswell Leisure Centre, as part of a nationwide level of security not seen at UK election counts this century.

Election bosses in Worcester have also contacted any potential visitors with details of how to evacuate the leisure centre building, and asked the media for advance notice of any equipment they intend to bring with them as part of the increased security.

Police will also be manning other election count venues across the county, with people asked to "allow extra time for security checks" before they can enter each building.

The move comes amid fears that polling stations and counting venues could become terror targets.

A spokesman for the city council said: "Anyone who wants to enter the count will be asked to enter without bags, those that do will be searched.

"We are encouraging people not to turn up with bags if possible."

A spokesman for Malvern Hills and Wychavon District Council said some visitors to their polling counts may also be searched.

He said: "We are not carrying out personal searches however police and security will be in attendance, and they reserve the right to carry out a search if they deem it necessary."

Police will also conduct extra patrols around polling stations.

Theresa May yesterday said she wanted voters to head to the polls to show that democracy will not be "deterred by the terrorists".

The Prime Minister answered "no" when asked if people should be concerned about their safety when casting their vote, following three terror attacks in three months in London and Manchester.

All six election counting venues across Worcestershire will declare their results in the early hours of Friday morning.