THE Census day has been and gone but it is not too late for Bucks residents to pop questionnaires in the post with the deadline looming on April 6.

Since lines opened on March 4 more than 20,000 people a day have phoned the national Census Helpline and used help and advice online.

Census forms have been delivered to 26 million households across England and Wales and householders were asked provide information about the accommodation and all the people living there on March 27.

The forms are completed every 10 years, to provide up-to-date snapshots of life in modern Britain.

2011 Census Director Glen Watson said: "I urge everyone to fill in their census questionnaires to ensure a better future for all. The census provides a richly detailed snapshot of society that helps the right decisions to be made in future about services including housing, schools and health provision."

And anyone hoping to escape filling in the form with excuses like “the dog ate it” are out of luck as another form can be provided.

Anyone who was away on March 27 has been asked to complete the form as soon as possible afterwards.

Susannah Wasley, 23, a volunteer from London Road, High Wycombe said: "I did my first one the other day, and found it a bit intrusive. I'm not really too sure what the census is for, but do worry about the information being used for political or voting purposes in the future."

But Carrie Mitchell, 29, a student from Marlow said she didn't mind completing it as the country needs to know “these things” and she was particularly happy to be able to put down her spiritual views.

Census collectors will visit households that have not returned their questionnaire by next Wednesday, April 6. The caller will always carry their photo ID, bearing the 2011 Census and ONS logos.

It is a legal requirement for the census to be completed by every household. For help call 0300 0201 101 (charged at local rate) or go to www.census.gov.uk.