Wellingborough Council's resources committee voted heavily against the idea of changing the voting day for parliamentary and local elections from Thursday to a weekend, with 12 against and one in favour at Tuesday's meeting. The change was suggested by the Ministry of Justice, which is gauging support for the proposal nationwide.

Cllr Lora Lawman described the overwhelming opposition to the plan at the consultation and said: "We have said it would cost more money to have it at weekends, because the officers and everyone involved would need to be paid. Also there's no evidence that weekend voting is any more successful."

However, if the Government does decide to implement the change then Wellingborough Council, as well as other councils across the country, will be forced to move its voting day.

The idea behind it is to boost attendance at the polls and it would mean England would fall in line with the majority of other European countries which hold elections at weekends or on public holidays.

Stanley Allen, 76, of Nest Lane, said: "I don't see the point in changing it from Thursday because if you did it at weekends people could go away. If people want to vote they can, but there's no point moaning about the Government if you didn't vote them in or out."

Ben Hodge, 22, of The Promenade, said: "I think it's fine on Thursdays. You have until 10pm, so I can't imagine there is anyone who struggles to make it to vote."

Mary Halls, 37, of London Road, said: "If it's not broke don't fix it. I think more people will be away at weekends and they won't want to interrupt whatever they are doing and drag themselves up to the polling station."