The first cyberspace election is being fought out in York's libraries.

Voters in the June 7 poll are being encouraged to log on to the city's stock of public computers to make the most of worldwide campaigning.

For the first time, virtually every candidate has their own Internet website and is inviting voters to email questions.

And national party manifestos and updates can be downloaded on screen.

City of York Council's library service offers free access to the Internet at the Central Library and at ten branch libraries.

Helen Compton, a senior librarian, said: "All the major political parties have a web presence and all follow broadly the same format, with interactive features which allow users to join the party, take part in opinion polls and find news.

"The Internet provides the potential for greater communication between voter and candidate than ever before."

Electors can even ask for a postal vote at www.postalvotes.co.uk, although they only have until May 30 to do so.

Updated: 16:44 Thursday, May 24, 2001