TODAY the Daily Echo asks: just how safe is your vote?

As fears grow nationally over possible abuse of the postal vote, the paper can reveal a sixth of Southampton's vote is open to fraud.

The number of postal vote applications for Southampton alone has soared from 4,800 at the last general election to over 26,000 for May 5 - and that figure may rise further.

Leading local expert Professor James Connelly has described the situation as serious. "I think people in three weeks time are going to be very worried," he said.

However, election chiefs in the city say they are doing all they can to ensure fair play.

For the full report on this story see today's Spotlight feature under the 'More News' section.