THERE has been an unprecedented surge in voter registration in Fife, as well as demand for postal and proxy votes, in the run-up to the referendum, a pattern repeated throughout Scotland.

Compared with the European elections in May, the electorate has increased by 5.4% with the number of postal votes being boosted by 22.4%, while there has been a 788.4% or ninefold surge in proxy votes.

Councillor Tim Brett, Liberal Democrat group leader of Fife Council, praised the council electoral staff for their handling of this increase.

"As was anticipated, the heightened interest in voting has meant an increase in telephone enquiries to the electoral registration office," he said.

"Additional resources were duly allocated and the staff are coping with the extra work though I know from contact with me that there has been the odd complaint.

"I hope that this level of interest in participating in democratic elections continues well after 18th September."