A hi-tech new service will allow South Oxfordshire residents to find out next week's local election results by text message, email or live online webcast.

Residents can register to receive the results of the district council elections electronically, by texting the code for their ward to a mobile hotline or visiting the council's website.

South Oxfordshire District Council (SODC) is offering the email and text message alerts to anyone who signs up before the results are announced.

The service, the only one in the county, means that people can find out the district council election results almost as soon as they are out.

Voting starts at 7am next Thursday and polling stations are open until 10pm, but for the first time, the results will not be announced until the next day.

Returning officer and chief executive David Buckle said: "South Oxfordshire is the only council in the district offering text alerts for election results. We wanted to make it as easy and quick as possible.

"Voting in these elections means that you can influence things that affect your everyday life, so I urge you to make your vote count on May 3."

People can choose to receive the results for a particular ward or all of the 29 wards, where there are 48 seats.

The count will be held at the council offices at Crowmarsh Gifford.

The results will be announced live online at www. southoxon.gov.uk/elections