HUNDREDS of polling cards were sent out by mistake for the Malvern Town Council by-elections yesterday (Thursday).

Malvern Hills District Council is blaming a computer error for sending out the cards to registered voters in the Trinity and Priory wards, where no elections were being held.

The mistake apparently occurred on General Election day (June 7), when staff were stretched to the limit. Once the error was noticed, letters were sent out informing voters of the mistake. An MHDC spokesman said the cost had not yet been calculated.

Elections were held for town council seats in the Link and Langland wards. Results will be published in next week's Malvern Gazette.