A Judge has hit out at Britain's postal voting system after presiding over a case of electoral fraud in Birmingham.

Finding six Labour councillors guilty, he said checks against corruption were "hopelessly insecure" and accused the government of being in denial about the risks to democracy.

Richard Mawrey QC, sitting as an electoral commissioner, found "overwhelming" evidence of fraud in last year's city council elections that would "disgrace a banana republic".

Returning officers have warned that the judge's findings may damage confidence in postal voting.

More people than ever before are expected to cast their votes by post at the forthcoming general election.