Computer software company boss Christopher Quinton has warned that if Tony Blair calls a snap General Election in April the result could be chaos throughout the country.

His firm Halarose, of Woodcote, provides electoral registration and election management software to 30 local authorities in the UK.

Mr Quinton is furious that Home Office guidelines on making changes to electoral procedures have been issued so late.

The changes are a result of the Representation of the People's Act, enacted by Parliament last summer, but confirmed only last week.

He said: "The guide should have been ready last autumn, and we were told to expect it by November. Our staff are working impossible hours to make the necessary software changes.

"If a General Election is called as early as April there is strong concern that there will be a complete shambles."