The BBC reported this morning that some local councils had used Adare to print and mail postal ballot papers to British citizens living abroad, but that a significant number had either not yet received their ballots or had received them too late to vote.

According to the BBC report, UK citizens living in France who had registered for postal votes with councils including Calderdale and Barnsley were yet to receive their ballots, while others had received them too late to respond.

In response to the report, Adare SEC issued a statement which said: “Adare works in partnership with a number of UK councils on the European election campaign.

“Quality and on-time delivery are always of the utmost importance to us, and as such, Adare SEC is pleased to confirm that all postal ballot papers were produced and released into the postal system in line with the election and council timetables.

“As per good industry practice, we use reputable international mail handlers for our overseas mail delivery who assess the best route through other European countries before the mail arrives at the final destination.”

British citizens are entitled to vote in the last constituency where they or their parents registered to vote, given that a completed ballot paper is returned to the local electoral returning officer before polls close on election day. Elections for the European Parliament will take place tomorrow (23 May).

The BBC estimated that “thousands” of Britons living in France may be unable to vote due to the reported delays to delivery.

Recommendations from the Electoral Commission instructed any voters affected to contact their relevant council.

Based across sites in Huddersfield, Nottingham, Redditch and Guildford, Adare Secure Essential Communications employs around 450 staff and has sales of around £68m.