WITH local elections taking place on Thursday. May 6, 2021, voters in the Shropshire Council area are being urged to make sure they are registered to vote and able to take part on polling day.

Elections are being held for Shropshire Council, town councils, parish councils, and for the West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner, and people are being reminded that they need to register by the deadline of Monday 19 April, 2021 if they want to vote.

But this year in order to help contain Covid-19 people are being asked to bring their own pen or pencil in order to mark the ballot paper.

There are alternatives for people who cannot or do not wish to visit a polling station that include organising a proxy or postal vote that must be done in advance.

Voters have a range of options for casting their ballot – in person, by post, or by appointing someone they trust to vote in their place, known as a proxy vote.To register to vote, visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote