VOTERS are heading to the polls today to decide the future of councils across East Lancashire

Polling stations across East Lancashire opened at 7am giving hundreds of thousands of people the opportunity to choose one of their local representatives for the next four years.

Residents will be able to register their votes until 10pm and will be asked to confirm their name and address to be issued with a ballot paper.

If you are on the electoral register, you will have received a poll card telling you where your local polling station is.

Alternatively, if you have requested a postal vote and not yet returned your ballot pack, you can drop it off at a polling station today.

If you are still in a queue at your polling station at 10pm you will be allowed to vote.

Parents are allowed to bring children with them when they go to vote. If you are a first-time voter, the polling station staff will be happy to help.

If you need additional help to vote, you can ask a member of staff to assist you. You can also ask someone else you know to help you. If you have a visual impairment, you can ask to see a large print ballot paper.

If you’ve applied for a postal vote but haven’t sent back your ballot paper, you can hand it in at a polling station in your area by 10pm on polling day.

When you arrive at the polling station, tell the staff there your name and address. You do not have to bring your poll card with you to vote.

You will be given a ballot paper for each poll which will have a list of candidates and their political parties or if they are an independent candidate.

You must vote for one candidate only. Go to a polling booth so that you can make your vote in secret.

Put an X next to the candidate you wish to vote for, fold your ballot paper in half and put it in the ballot box.