Push to recruit 840 staff for one county's election

Miranda Garrard said elections are a "huge logistical enterprise"

People across Shropshire are being recruited to help staff polling stations for the upcoming general election.

Shropshire Council needs 840 roles filled by 4 July, including poll clerks, security staff, ballot box distributors and count assistants.

The council's head of democratic and legal services said planning a general election is "like moving a mountain with a teaspoon".

The authority is planning to open 240 polling stations across three constituencies - Shrewsbury, North Shropshire and South Shropshire.

Telford and Wrekin Council runs the polls for The Wrekin and Telford constituencies.

Other tasks carried out by local authorities include distributing postal votes and polling cards and processing proxy votes.

This will also be the first general election that valid photo ID is required to vote in person.

Those without approved documentation have until 26 June to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate through their local authority.

Ballot papers will be counted at Shrewsbury Sports Village

Overall responsibility for organising a general election falls to returning officers and acting returning officers.

Returning officers are ceremonial roles, Shropshire's being the High Sheriff.

The acting returning officer is usually a senior officer within a local authority and for Shropshire Council that's chief executive Andy Begley.

He's overseeing the process being carried out by the council's election team.

"It's a huge logistical exercise," said Miranda Garrard, head of democratic and legal services at Shropshire Council.

"You think arranging a wedding is hard work - multiply that many times over.

"My team is really flat out, some have cancelled leave they had planed and are working 12 to 14 hour days, including weekends to get this done," she added.