POLLING stations open at 7am today, and Bradford Council has asked staff that have manned stations in the past for tips and advice based on what they usually get asked most by voters on the day.

Here are the top tips and nuggets of advice for voters:

1. Try not to leave it until the last minute to vote – polling stations do tend to get busy later in the evening and have to close at 10pm prompt

2. Your vote is secret – you don’t have to tell anyone who you have voted for

3. You don’t need your polling card to vote but if you do have it, it will help the election staff

4. You can use your own pen to mark the ballot paper. Pencils are provided but if you wish, you can use your own marker

5. Once a ballot paper is in the box no one can get it out. The box is not emptied until it reaches the people counting the ballot papers at either Richard Dunn Sport Centre or Keighley Leisure Centre

6. You don’t have to tell the people outside the polling station who you are – only the staff who are issuing you with your ballot paper

7. Remember – you are voting for your local MP not the leader of the political parties

8. If someone needs help to vote, a member of staff in the polling station will assist them

And most important of all...

9. Use your vote – every vote counts!