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Whenever you apply for a credit card, try to get finance for a new car, or even agree to that store card, have you ever wondered how the credit reference agencies get hold of your details?Ìý And just how do those junk mail companies know so much about us?

Well you may be surprised to learn that they buy them from local councils up and down the country – and there's a fair bit of money involved too!

In the last financial year, Aylesbury District Council took a total of £1,968.50.Ìý But this is nothing compared to the £2,992 taken by St Albans District Council or the £6,358 taken by Luton Borough Council.

So why do the credit reference agencies pay your Council for your personal information and can't your details be obtained from anywhere else?

Electoral Roll up for sale

Well the Electoral Roll is really the only comprehensive, nationwide register of names and address available at the moment.Ìý There is also a legal requirement which means that councils have to pass on our details if asked for them.

Neil Ellis, the Electoral Services Manager at Welwyn Hatfield Council, explained:

"The Electoral Roll is available to any body, any organisation and it can be used for any purpose whatsoever.Ìý We do not have to check the reason why anyone would want to buy the register from us in the first place."

John Turner, the Chief Executive of the Association of Electoral Administrators, told the ´óÏó´«Ã½ what information can be obtained from the Edited Register.

"If you haven't opted out, then your full name and your address is available to market research companies – anyone who asks in fact! " explained John.

"However, 'opting out' is only out of the Edited Register.Ìý The credit reference agencies are one of the bodies which by law, are entitled to the Full Register."

Not just to allow people to vote

John is frustrated by the current system: "I think it's absolutely abysmal quite honestly.Ìý The purpose of the Electoral Register is to allow people to vote and that should be the only thing it is used for."

So, is it right that if you haven't opted out, your details are literally up for sale?

Dorothy Thornhill, Mayor of Watford told us:

"No, I don't think it's right at all.Ìý Clearly there is a level of concern amongst people and I think it's something that we should actually talk to people about, get the full extent of their views and then perhaps consider lobbying Government for a change in the law."

A recent government-commissioned review said providing electoral roll information to marketing firms gave a "poor message".ÌýÌý

The review, headed up by Information Commissioner Richard Thomas and Wellcome Trust director Dr Mark Walport,Ìý said people should have a right to know exactly who companies shared their details with and those deliberately breaking privacy rules should face large fines.

Across the public and private sectors, data-sharing was "shrouded in confusion" and the public had little insight into how personal information was used, the report said.

A Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said: "We agree that measures need to be taken to increase public trust and confidence in the handling and processing of personal data by the public and private sectors."