Voters and candidates in the forthcoming local elections could be forgiven for being a little confused.

Recent boundary changes to both the ward boundaries for the borough election in Maidstone and the parish boundaries for the parish elections have left some wondering where they are.

Residents in Saxon Way and in the homes at the lower end of Cripple Street used to be in the parish of Tovil and in South Ward, which included all of Tovil.

But following a re-jig of parishes, they are now in Loose Parish, but confusingly they are still in the newly formed Tovil ward, not the new Loose and Linton ward.

One resident said: “It is confusing. I didn’t even know I was no longer in Tovil parish until our Council Tax demand landed on the doormat with a bill for Loose. But now it seems we’re back in Tovil again.”

Just to add to the confusion, Saxon Way lies below the roadside sign delineating the Tovil boundary, suggesting they are still in Tovil.

Ryan O'Connell, Maidstone’s democratic and electoral services manager, reassured the affected residents they would not have to go to two different locations to vote.

The YMCA Centre in Melrose Close will be their polling booth for both elections and for voting for the Police and Crime Commissioner.

Mr O’Connell said: “It is scheduled, post-election, for those differing boundaries to be re-considered by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England with a view to aligning them.

“This would mean that Loose and Linton Ward would then encompass the Saxon Way area. This would provide clearer boundaries.

“However, it is for the boundary commission to decide whether to make that alignment happen.”

Paul Thomas is a candidate in the forthcoming borough elections, standing for Tovil.

He said: “There is no logic to this. It is confusing for voters and many say they were unaware of the switch. There was no need to move these homes into Loose parish.”

Around 140 voters fall within the dual area.