Keeping schools in Merton open during elections has been "made a priority" by the council.

Earlier this year, 13 schools in the borough were forced to shut for the day to allow people to vote during the European election.

This type of thing has angered Morden man Mark Gale for years after his own son was forced to miss a day of school.

"I've been campaigning for alternative locations to be used for polling stations for over two years, since I was first aware of the lazy decision from the council when my son's school was closed for the 2017 General Election," he said.

In response to concerns from Mr Gale and other parents, a public consultation was launched on July 12 to try and figure out what other areas could be used instead of schools.

"I've waited some time for this opportunity and kicked it off highlighting the absurd fact that the council leader's own polling station Hillcross Primary School had to be closed twice in a month (European and By-election) earlier this year," Mr Gale added.

"I was pleased to see the council announce the consultation and have been speaking and writing to residents of my ward."

A total of 68 people responded to the consultation, which finished on Monday.

The council is currently in discussions with potential replacement venues for more than five of the 13 schools, as well as ward councillors in those areas.

Merton's cabinet member for schools and adult education, Councillor Eleanor Stringer, said: “Thank you to everyone who responded to the consultation about polling districts and polling places.

"We will review all the feedback we have received thoroughly before it goes to council for a final decision.

“In the meantime, we have made it a priority to find alternative places to schools to use as polling stations and have already identified some other potential buildings.

"We initiated the search in response to feedback from parents who wanted to prevent their children’s education from being disrupted on polling days.”

The results of the consultation will go to the Standards and General Purposes Committee, before the council is asked to approve proposed new venues as alternatives to schools at their meeting in November.

If there is a snap general election before the meeting in November, the council said it would look to trial these new arrangements "where feasible", in order to keep as many schools open as possible.