The countdown has begun for the European Parliamentary and local elections on Thursday, May 22.

More than five million people across north west England will have the opportunity to vote in European elections to select the region’s eight Members of the European Parliament (MEPs.)

At the same time, electors in Halton will be choosing councillors in 17 of its 21 wards.

The local election results count and declaration will take place on Friday, May 23 and the north west European elections count and declaration will be on Sunday, May 25.

People will not be able to vote in either election unless they have ensured they are on the electoral register by Tuesday, May 6.

Anyone who is on the electoral register can choose to register to vote by post. Applications for a postal vote in the forthcoming elections must also be received by 5pm on Wednesday, May 7.

Poll cards for those who are already on the electoral register are being delivered from Tuesday 15 April 15, so people who are registered should look out for theirs in the post.

Anyone who is not registered download a registration form by visiting 3.halton.gov.uk/lgnl/policyandresources/legaldemocraticservices/democraticservices/pdfs/voterregistrationform.pdf.

Alternatively, or if they need to update their details (for example if they have changed address or changed surname since registering) or check whether they are on the register, they should call Electoral Registration on 0151 511 7802. Registration is a quick and easy process.

A full list of candidates for the European and the local elections will be published at 12 noon on Monday, April 28.