AS the Scottish independence referendum reaches its climax a Welsh borders town is holding its own poll. Hay-on-Wye, the self styled 'independent kingdom' on the Powys Herefordshire border is asking residents to back its continued independence and also pledge their support for a manifesto. Voting takes place on Thursday, September 18 - the same day as voters in Scotland are being asked to break away from the 300-year-old United Kingdom. Hay is famed for its many second hand bookshops established after self proclaimed 'king' Richard Booth started his worldwide 'book town' movement in Hay after moving into the local castle. In 1977 'King Richard' declared the town an independent kingdom. Bookshop owner Derek Addyman is behind the vote and the Hay Independent Kingdom United Party or HIKUP which has produced the manifesto that calls for Hay to be given it's own postcode, the town currently uses a Hereford sorting code, and declared a World Heritage Site in recognition of it being the first of more than 100 book towns worldwide. "There is a serious statement to be made about the World Heritage Site. Hay is already an SSSI - a site of special shopping interest - and it surely warrants World Heritage Status as the world's first book town," said Derek, who uses the title Prince Derek Fitz Pitt Booth. Voting takes place at the Cheese Market in the centre of Hay on market day, this Thursday, September 18 from 11am to 3pm and all residents of Hay, regardless of age, are eligible to vote. For more on this story see this week's Brecon & Radnor Express - on sale now