Cheerleaders force election count to move

A cheerleading event has displaced general election vote counting at a regularly-used venue.

The Future Cheer Internationals - billed as Europe's largest cheerleading competition - are due to be held at the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) from 5 to 7 July.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council said 30,000 people would attend the event and holding the count at the centre on 4 July would harm the local economy.

Instead, results for the Bournemouth East, Bournemouth West, Christchurch and Poole constituencies will be announced at Kings Park Leisure and Learning Centre.

Acting BCP returning officer Graham Farrant said: “The Future Cheer event brings value to our local economy, with hotels, restaurants, leisure facilities, transport providers and more benefiting.

“It will not be possible for us to hold the count at the BIC this year without disruption that would cause economic harm to the conurbation."

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