ELECTION chiefs have given the usual Inverclyde count venue the cold shoulder - because of concerns about the temperature.

In recent years, ballot papers have been counted in the Waterfront Leisure Complex ice rink, which is covered over with temporary flooring for the process.

But Inverclyde Council, which is in charge of the election locally, has decided to switch the count to Greenock Town Hall - the traditional venue in the past - because it is warmer.

The change is due to the election on Thursday being held during winter, combined with the ice rink having to be kept at a carefully controlled sub-zero temperature and with doors having to be left open for long spells for the delivery of ballot boxes.

A council spokesman said: "Although the town hall has been used regularly for election counts, the Waterfront has been preferred in recent years. "Given the unusual situation of having an election in December, the unpredictability of the winter weather and the fact we are counting on top of an ice rink, we felt it was sensible to go back to the town hall.

"The town hall has, for most election counts, been our contingency so it has always been part of our planning and the team have already started the work of making the switch. "The count for the 2019 general election will be overnight. "When polls close at 10pm on Thursday December 12, ballot boxes will start to arrive at Greenock Town Hall and the counting will then begin until the early hours of Friday morning when our returning officer will declare the result."

Council chief executive Aubrey Fawcett, pictured, will be in charge of the election as returning officer.

The town hall will be packed with an army of counters - usually local authority staff - who will carefully sift through all the ballot papers in front of candidates, their election agents, campaign teams and the media, who will be watching on eagerly-awaiting the result.

A declaration is expected at around 2.30am on Friday December 13.