VOTERS are going to the polls today to have their say in the local and European elections.

After a wet start, candidates will be hoping the rain will not deter people from exercising their democratic right.

All councils in the area will be voted on today, with the exception of the Ribble Valley and Lancashire County Council.

The majority of East Lancashire councils are centre-left territory with Burnley, Hyndburn, Blackburn with Darwen, Rossendale and Chorley all Labour controlled.

Only Pendle has a Tory minority council, which today hangs in the balance.

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As for the European elections, eight MEP places are up for grabs in the North West, including Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Cumbria and Merseyside.

The only East Lancashire-based MEP is Sajjad Karim, a former Liberal Democrat turned Tory, and he is expected to retain his seat.

Outsider Wajid Khan is hoping to win a seat for Labour and former Blackburn College student, Louise Bours, is hoping to join Paul Nuttall to represent UKIP in Brussels.

Polling stations are open from 7am until 10pm.