NORTH West Conservative MEP David Sumberg is unleashing a furious attack on the Government after it emerged there are major problems delivering ballot papers for the forthcoming elections in the region.

Mr Sumberg says it is another example of Labour letting families down. He argued Labour was getting its comeuppance' for ignoring the Electoral Commission's advice that the North West was not ready for postal voting.

He said: "This complete shambles is utterly disgraceful. The Government arrogantly and impetuously forced postal voting on the region - against expert advice - and is now reaping the ill wind of that misjudgement.

We are faced with the farcical situation of vast swathes of the region not getting their ballot papers on time. Families going away at the weekend may lose their vote because their papers are delayed. But it is a scandal that the Government has so badly underestimated the logistical difficulties of organising postal voting. It has failed to get the basics right by not allowing enough time for the production and distribution of ballot papers. But the bottom line remains: this appalling cock-up could easily have been avoided if the Government had listened to the experts."

Mr Sumberg added that the chaos set alarm bells ringing ahead of the referendum on the North West Assembly in October which is also due to be held by postal ballot.

"We cannot allow a repeat of this farce in October," he said. "A comprehensive and thorough investigation is necessary to find out what has gone wrong here. Sadly, that will come too late for many families who may lose their vote."

The attack by the Tory MEP came after election officials gave a preview of the ballot packs due to arrive any day now through the post boxes of electors in the North West.

Electors in Eden will receive a ballot paper by post for elections to the European Parliament. The ballot paper should be completed in private and not shown to anyone else. Electors must also complete their Declaration of Identity, which must be witnessed by a friend, family member or spouse and posted back with the ballot paper.

If electors wish, they can attend a special assistance and delivery point where election officials will help them complete their form correctly.

In Eden, the telephone advice line number is 01768-864671 and the assistance and delivery point is at the Whelpdale Room, Mansion House, Penrith.

The assistance and delivery point will be open from Tuesday June 1, to Saturday June 5, from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday, June 7 to Wednesday, June 9 from 9am to 5pm and Thursday June 10, from 7 am to 10 pm.

Electors with disabilities may request assistance in their home from the mobile assistance and delivery point. Please telephone 01768-864671 to arrange an appointment.

Regional Returning Officer for the North West Euro-elections Sir Howard Bernstein said: "There are more than five million people entitled to vote in these elections and it is in the best interests of democracy that we encourage as many people as possible to participate. We will be publishing the response rates of electors regularly throughout the election period.

"Postal voting is convenient and we are working closely with the Royal Mail and the police to ensure it is an efficient, effective and secure method of electing new representatives in the European Parliament."

Mr Steve Leach, area general manager for Royal Mail, said: "We have put in place a dedicated team to ensure the process runs smoothly and have developed robust plans, following discussions with the Electoral Commission, local authorities and political parties. We are confident our experience in handling large mailings such as previous postal voting trials and the Census in 2001 will ensure we can fulfil our part in the electoral process."

Results for the European elections will be declared after 9pm on the evening of Sunday, June 13.