A resident says he was unable to vote in the district elections because he could not find the polling station.

Barrie Lewis at the scout headquarters

Barrie Lewis used to vote at the 1st Bicester Scout group headquarters in Ashdene Road, a short distance from his home in St Edith's Way.

However, the venue was changed as a result of changes to the Cherwell District Council wards.

Mr Lewis's home was switched from the Bicester South to the Bicester West ward. He was told on the poll card to vote at West Bicester Community Centre in Bowmont Square last Thursday.

Unfortunately, the poll card did not say that Bowmont Square was in Shakespeare Drive. Mr Lewis did not know the location of Bowmont Square and, despite inquiries, he got no satisfactory answer.

Mr Lewis said: "I thought it wise to ring the office of Bicester Town Council, but after waiting five minutes I was instructed to ring Cherwell District Council's office in Bicester Market Square. After another five minutes I was put through to Cherwell's head office at Bodicote."

After more waiting he was told to ring the polling station but he gave up when there was no reply.

Mr Lewis said: "The annoying factor is that we are told it is a crime not to vote and be sure to have your say. But I was wondering if the local government knows where it is."

Cherwell's chief administration officer, Peter Rooke, said: "I am unaware of any complaint over someone not finding their polling station. There might have been some problem because of the boundary changes.

"It might be that in future we could add into the address of the polling station that West Bicester community centre was in Bowmont Square, off Shakespeare Drive."