A postal referendum on the frequency of Great Yarmouth Borough Council's elections has get underway as voting packs are being delivered to 73,000 electors in the area.

By Monday all eligible electors should receive a pack containing a covering letter, a postal voting statement, instructions and the postal ballot paper, together with return envelopes.

The referendum question is: 'Should the council change its election cycle to whole council elections every four years or retain the existing system of election by thirds?'

The borough is split into 17 areas, known as wards, each represented by up to three councillors who are elected to their council seats for four years. Currently the council holds elections by thirds, meaning approximately one third of the 39 seats come up for election each year for three successive years in four.

Electors should return their completed ballot paper to the Town Hall by 5pm on September 28.