Election officials have complained after Scrooge-like officials told them they would need to explain their use of additional heating and lighting despite the winter poll.

The Cabinet Office’s election claims unit has told councils that they would need to account for why additional heating, lighting and torches were needed in order to get their expenses covered for polling day on December 12.

Requests for extra heaters and lighting are expected to be classed as 'novel expenditure' and costs may not be paid back.