The deadline for registering to vote at May’s local elections and national referendum is Thursday (14 April).

Applications received after this date will not permit people to vote on 5 May.

The same deadline also applies to applications for a postal vote.

However if you have registered, but do not think you will be able to visit the polling station yourself, the deadline to appoint a proxy to vote on your behalf is Thursday, 21 April. This does not apply to people who have already registered for a postal vote.

For those who have already applied for a postal vote, ballot packs should begin arriving on doorsteps next week (from 18 April). These should be returned as soon as possible to ensure the vote is counted.