Council tax payers in Cornwall are to continue to be able to receive bills and statements on paper, without charge or penalty.

Cornwall Council has become one of the first local authorities in the country to make this commitment.

The council has backed the Keep Me Posted campaign which believes it is every consumer’s right to choose, without any disadvantage, how they are contacted by councils, banks, utilities companies and other official bodies.

The campaign is being run in the face of an increasing trend of businesses and organisations switching their customers to mainly digital communication.

Keep Me Posted said that such communication wasn’t always preferable or suitable for a significant proportion of UK consumers.

The council has been given a mark of distinction by the campaign which acts as a symbol to residents that they have the right to receive their council tax bills by post.

Keep Me Posted campaign chair Judith Donovan said: ‘This is a significant step for both our campaign and the residents of Cornwall who value a choice in how they receive their council tax bills and statements.’