The installation of a polling station in one ward for the exclusive use of residents in another was described as "political manoeuvering" when given the go ahead on Thursday.

Spelthorne Borough Council agreed at the meeting that a new polling station at a Tesco superstore in Liberal Democrat-controlled Sunbury Common would only be available to residents of Conservative-controlled Laleham and Shepperton Green.

The cost of the new station will be £2,500 and will provide the site for 800 residents to cast their votes.

Lib Dems claim the problem is the Staines West Road, which cuts the Sunbury Common ward in two.

Sunbury Common councillor Ian Beardsmore said: "It's not just a road, it is junction one of the M3 and we are also talking about one of the most deprived areas of Spelthorne.

"It's a cynical piece of political manoeuvering and it will be seen as it. I welcome it for those residents on the other side but it is going to affect the rest of Spelthorne and the ruling party doesn't seem to care."

The only polling station in the area is in the far north of the road at Kenyington Manor School and the Tesco site aimed to encouraged a higher turnout of voters.

Leader of the council councillor John Packman said: "Whether it's political manoeuvering is a matter of opinion.

"I have not had a complaint from those in the areas debated.

"A second site would cause too much confusion to the electorate."

However, following the debate, the motion was passed to create a new polling place "in" the Laleham and Shepperton Green Ward rather than "for" it.

A spokeswoman for the borough council said this would be amended to reflect the debate at the next meeting.