COUNCIL officers will are to visit thousands of residents in southern Oxfordshire to get their details for the electoral register.

From last week until the end of November, households which have not confirmed who is living in their property will receive a phone call or visit from an officer.

Yellow letters, asking residents who is living in their homes, went out last month.

About 80 per cent of residents responded but despite repeated reminders, just over 12,500 in South Oxfordshire and 12,000 in the Vale of White Horse district council area have so far failed to reply.

Council officers will now start phoning and visiting properties to confirm householders’ missing details.

The information is required by law and anyone who fails to confirm their details could be fined up to £1,000.

Visits will take place between 8am and 9pm until November 28, including at weekends.

When a council officer visits they will ask the resident to confirm who they live with, the same details as requested on the yellow letter.

They will then record this information electronically and send it securely to the electoral register.

Council officers will be clearly displaying their ID, so residents should check before passing on any information.

David Hill, electoral registration officer for the councils, said: "If you haven’t confirmed your details you will receive a phone call or visit.

"If you want to avoid a visit or phone call please confirm your details online immediately."