Voters in Cornwall will be casting their ballots in some unusual places on December 12.

Polling stations are usually to be found in church halls, community centres or schools, but in Portmellon, residents can cast their vote in a kayak store next to a pub, and in Caerhays, it’s a 14th Century castle that doubles up as a place to visit on election day.

No matter where the location of the polling station, the rules on voting are still the same, and anyone who knows they won’t be able to vote in person on December 12 must apply for a postal vote by 5pm on November 26.

Polling cards will be dropping through residents’ letterboxes in the next few days – and Cornwall Council is encouraging people to ‘act sooner rather than later’ if they need a postal vote - or if they think they might not be on the electoral register.

Cornwall Council’s chief executive and acting returning officer, Kate Kennally, said: ’The deadline to register to vote is also Tuesday, November 26. Remember: if you’re not registered and therefore can’t vote, you haven’t got a voice.

’It’s important that people are able to have their say on issues that impact upon us all, so I’d urge everyone of voting age to spend the five minutes it takes to ensure you are registered to vote.’

You can register to vote by visiting www.gov.uk/register-to-vote and filling out the relevant forms. Alternatively, you can register by post. Download the forms here: www.gov.uk/government/publications/register-to-vote-if-youre-living-in-the-uk.