Polls open in South Yorkshire council and mayoral elections

Elections for Sheffield, Barnsley and Rotherham councils and the South Yorkshire Mayor are being held

Polling stations have opened across South Yorkshire as elections take place for several local councils and a regional mayor.

Council elections are being held in Sheffield, Rotherham and Barnsley, but there are no local elections this year in Doncaster.

Meanwhile voters across the whole of the county can vote for the mayor, who is in charge of strategic issues such as transport, planning and economic development.

For the first time in South Yorkshire, the mayor’s role is to be merged with the job of Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).

PCCs were introduced in 2012 to make police forces more accountable and responsive.

They do not run the police on a day-to-day basis, but they can appoint or dismiss chief constables.

The result of South Yorkshire's mayoral election is due to be announced on Saturday afternoon

Polling stations opened on Thursday at 07:00 BST and will close at 22:00 BST.

Voters have been reminded to take photographic ID with them, as that is now required following new legislation brought in last year.

There are 22 acceptable forms of ID, including passports and driving licences. However, most student ID is not valid.

Live: Polling stations open for local elections

Voters can use ID which has expired as long as they still look like they do in the photograph.

Any voter who has forgotten to send in their postal vote has been reminded they can still hand it in to a polling station or local council by 22:00 BST on polling day.

The results of South Yorkshire's council elections are expected throughout Friday, while the mayoral election result is due to be announced on Saturday afternoon.