IT'S a novel way to boost the low turnout at local elections - casting your vote while buying a pint or having a cut and blow dry.

Gwent councils are coming up with unusual ways of attracting voters at next month's elections by setting up polling stations in pubs and hairdressers.

Voters in Caerleon, Bettws, Duffryn and Maindee will be able to stroll down to their pub on June 10 to cast their votes with a drink.

And in Abertillery and Ebbw Vale, they can opt for a cut and blow dry or short back and sides on election day.

With more relaxed rules on where polling stations can be placed councils are increasingly moving away from the local schools and church halls to more accessible locations.

In Newport, the Bell in Caerleon, the Nightingale in Bettws, the Duffryn, in Lighthouse Road and the Excelsior Club, in Corporation Road, will all be used as polling stations.

And in Blaenau Gwent, Hannah's Style Studio in Abertillery and Rebecca's Hair Design in Hilltop, Ebbw Vale, will also be transformed on the day.

Hairdresser Hannah Webb said: "It was an unusual request from the council, but it is centrally located and there are not too many other places around here that could be used."

Nick Barton, landlord of the Bell in Caerleon, said: "I will be open from 6.30am and serving, but I expect it will be more coffee than beer."

A Newport council spokeswoman said: "The Bell was an easy and accessible option.

"The earlier polling station across the road from the Bell was not available at this time so we asked the landlady if we could use the pub.

"It obviously gives the voters a pleasant environment to vote in."