THE referendum to decide whether the UK will remain part of the European Union is being billed as the most important vote in a generation.

The country will go to the polls on Thursday, June 23, but anyone wishing to vote must make sure they are on the electoral register before the deadline of Tuesday, June 7.

Anybody who was registered for last month's local elections or the 2015 General Election will remain eligible, as long as you still live at the same address.

But, if you are unsure whether you are on the electoral register, it should be straightforward to check and, if necessary, sign up to vote.

Am I on the electoral register?

Electoral registers are held and updated by borough and district councils across Essex. Contact your local council to check whether you are already registered.

See below for contact details for electoral services in your borough.

How do I register?

To register to vote, visit the gov.uk website and fill in an online form, which should take about five minutes.

You will need to know your national insurance number in order to register.

Maldon and Burnham Standard: Disaster banner ballot box.jpg for the homepage

Electoral office details for your borough

Basildon: 01268 533333 / elections@basildon.gov.uk

Braintree: 01376 552525 / elections@braintree.gov.uk

Brentwood: 01277 312708 / elections@brentwood.gov.uk

Castle Point: 01268 882200 / elections@castlepoint.gov.uk

Chelmsford: 01245 606449 / elections@chelmsford.gov.uk

Colchester: 01206 282242 / elections@colchester.gov.uk

Epping Forest: 01992 564411 / elections@eppingforestdc.gov.uk

Harlow: 01279 446042 / registration@harlow.gov.uk

Maldon: 01621 854477 / elections@maldon.gov.uk

Rochford: 01702 318187 / elections@rochford.gov.uk

Southend: 01702 215010 / elections@southend.gov.uk

Tendring: 01255 686566 / elections@tendringdc.gov.uk

Thurrock: 01375 652 816 / electoral.services@thurrock.gov.uk

Uttlesford: 01799 510431 / elections@uttlesford.gov.uk