Police are investigating further allegations of corruption and abuse of the postal voting system as electors across the district prepare to go to the polls tomorrow.

Officers were called in by Bradford's Returning Officer Ian Stewart to carry out the probe into claims that include a large number of postal votes being delivered to one address. Mr Stewart has also been told that there have been cases of impersonation as tens of thousands of people tried to get forms to vote by post.

Today he confirmed that he was dealing with complaints running into double figures and had passed several to the police.

The Telegraph & Argus exclusively revealed in last night's later editions that a man had been arrested over alleged irregularities connected with nominations for British National Party candidate James Breslin, 32, standing in the Great Horton ward. Mr Breslin has denied there are any irregularities.

Today there was unease among leaders of all Bradford Council's main political groups about misuse of postal votes which have issued to 40,000 people in the district this year.

The largest number of postal ballot forms - 2,134 - has been issued in Bradford Moor and Little Horton is second, with only two fewer. In the University ward 1,688 people will vote by post. Bradford's level of postal votes compares with about 28,000 in Birmingham which has a population of one million people. Leeds has issued only 31,000 postal votes.

Councillor Jeanette Sunderland, leader of the Liberal Democrat group, said she believed cheats were taking advantage of the extended families living in some parts of the district who could obtain large numbers of votes between them.

Labour group leader Councillor Ian Greenwood also warned that fraudsters could be taking advantage of extended families.

Green group leader Councillor David Ford said he was also convinced there was abuse of the postal vote. And Tory group leader Councillor Margaret Eaton said her group shared concerns about the potential for irregularities.

The Council is working closely with police to stamp out corruption and tomorrow's election will be covered by strict security measures.

But there are now no restrictions on obtaining postal votes and people can choose to go on the register permanently since the Government relaxed the rules to encourage more people to take part in elections.

The polling stations will open at 8am and close at 9pm.