MOBILE canvassers with tablet computers have been deployed to get more people registered to vote.

More than 70 of the devices were given to canvassers knocking on doors from August, Oxford City Council said.

It added: "Some canvassers were wary at the outset, but everyone that used the tablet found that it made the work more efficient and that they were well received on the door-step by members of the public."

The devices – which provided canvassers with real-time information – saved printing costs, administration time and reduced errors, a report said.

It said the number of people registered had also risen from 96,744 last December to 102,097 this year.

City council leader Bob Price said: "The introduction of individual registration saw a big fall in the number of voters, and our registration staff have worked very hard to ensure that everyone eligible does not lose their right to vote because of the new system.

"The university and college authorities have been very supportive and have introduced new systems for student registration which have made a big impact on the overall total.

"I would like to thank everyone involved for their contribution."

He added: "The increased size of the electorate underlines the government’s chicanery in choosing the lower numbers from last year as the basis for the new constituencies that will operate from 2020.

"They were advised by the Electoral Commission that it would lead to anomalies, and that is exactly what has happened ."