Top-level security will surround Bradford Council elections next month with the public barred from counts and viewing them live on video screens instead.

The move follows violence at previous elections, including fighting in St George's Hall, Bradford, when police in riot gear had to use CS spray to restore order.

The ban from counts was introduced at last year's General Elections when hundreds of people gathered outside the Bradford West count in Rhodesway School.

Politicians later complained about the system, saying the people were not causing any trouble. But chief executive Ian Stewart said they were operating the system again on police advice.

Stringent checks are also being made on postal votes - for which more than 30,000 people have already applied.

Complaints were made that votes had been bought and people threatened in last year's General Election. A police investigation was launched but dropped after several months.

Today the Council's election unit advised postal voters to mark their ballot papers in secret, have their identity confirmed by someone they trust and post the ballot paper back immediately. Mr Stewart said: "If there are allegations of abuse, either in applications for postal votes or the way in which votes are submitted, these will be fully investigated."

The deadline for submitting new applications to vote by post or proxy is April 24. Applications for postal voting are available from City Hall and town halls at Keighley, Shipley and Ilkley.

Counts will take place at eight venues: Abundant Life Centre, Bradford, covering Bradford North wards; Richard Dunn Sports Centre, Odsal, covering Bradford South and Little Horton wards; Rhodesway Secondary School, (Chellow site), covering Clayton, Heaton and Thornton wards; Thornton Recreation Centre, covering Toller ward; Rhodesway Secondary School (main site), covering University ward; Beckfoot School, covering Shipley wards; Victoria Hall, covering Keighley wards; and Winter Gardens, covering Ilkley wards.