Almost half of people living in Britain are not aware that they can prevent third parties, such as direct marketing companies, from accessing their personal information on the electoral register.

The nationwide survey coincides with advice published today by The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) to help individuals who are concerned about the use of their personal information on the electoral register.

The new guidance outlines how individuals have the right to restrict the use of their information on the register.

It is compulsory for individuals to provide their personal information for the full electoral register which is then used by public authorities and credit reference agencies.

However it is the edited version of the register that is made more widely available. Individuals who do not want their details sold to other organisations, for example for marketing purposes, can opt out of appearing in this edited version.

‘The ICO is regularly contacted by individuals who are concerned that their personal information on the electoral register is being sold to different companies for a range of purposes, particularly marketing.

This guidance very clearly states how you can tick the box on the voter registration form to opt out if you do not want your details on the electoral register to be made widely available.’ said David Smith, Deputy Commissioner

A study found that a third of patients admitted to a hospital with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) had jobs that involved sitting still at desks for long periods.

Office workers who spend all day sitting in front of computers may be at greater risk of developing potentially fatal blood clots than passengers on long-haul flights, according to new research carried out in New Zealand.

DVT is the formation of a blood clot in a deep vein, most commonly in the legs. The clots can travel to the heart, lungs or brain, causing chest pain, breathlessness or possible death from a heart attack or stroke.

DVT affects around 100,000 people and kills between 500 and 1,000 in Britain each year. Passengers sitting on long-haul flights without space to stretch out were considered as most at risk.

But Prof Richard Beasley. of New Zealand's Medical Research Institute, found that a third - 34 per cent - of 62 patients aged under 65 admitted to a hospital with blood clots spent long periods of time seated as part of their jobs. This compared to 21 per cent who had recently travelled on a long-haul flight.

"The risk is certainly there," he said. "There are considerably more people who are seated for long periods at work as part of their normal day than there are travelling."

04 Jan 07 - Protect your financial information, urges Information Commissioners Office (ICO).

As shoppers spend millions in the January sales and rely more and more on credit to make purchases, the Information Commissioner’s Office is today urging consumers to start the New Year by ensuring their financial information is accurate and up to date.