Voters head to the polls in England's local elections

1. This year's local elections are under way in England
2. Voters are deciding who runs services in 230 local councils - with around 8,000 councillors' seats and four local mayoral posts up for grabs
3. For the first time, voters will need to show photo ID in polling stations - passports, driving licences and some other forms of ID can be used
4. Local councils are responsible for many public services, including schools, care for elderly and disabled people, and fixing potholes in some roads
5. Polls are open until 22:00 tonight
6. The BBC, like other broadcasters, can't report details of campaigning or election issues while polls are open - instead expect plenty of traditional snaps of dogs at polling stations

Join our results coverage

Nathan Williams

Live reporter

Polls will be closing soon, so we’re going to wrap up here.

I’m signing off but you can join my colleague Rob Corp as he kicks off our results live page here

How to follow the results on the BBC

It's all going to get rather exciting after the polls close at 2200 and the results start coming in. Here's how to follow.

Online: We'll have a live page bringing you all the latest results and analysis. There'll also be more coverage on our Politics pages too - plus we'll have full results pages for all areas with elections too.

TV: Our election results programme, hosted by Laura Kuenssberg, will kick off on BBC1 and the News Channel from 2340. You can also watch on iPlayer.

There'll be coverage throughout Friday, with BBC Breakfast from 0600, and then on the News Channel from 0900. Politics Live, presented by Jo Coburn, will be on BBC2 and the News Channel from 1200, then BBC 1 and the News Channel from 1345 to 1630.

Radio: Radio 4 and Radio 5 Live will be running election coverage from 2300. The Today programme will bring you results and analysis on Radio 4 from 0600 tomorrow - and to get the lowdown on what's happening in your area, you can find your local BBC radio station here.

The places choosing their new mayor

It is not just about voting for councillors today - voters in Bedford, Leicester, Mansfield and Middlesbrough are also choosing their next mayor.

These mayors are the directly-elected leaders of their local authorities, and not to be confused with metro mayors, who have power across a wider region and are up for election later in the year.

The mayors being elected today are done so through the first past the post system.

It's not all about dogs at polling stations...

Nicole Pretorius/PA Wire

We've seen a lot of lovely dogs outside polling stations today. However, we've spotted another pet interested in politics - this cat in north Leeds

Nicole Pretorius tweeted a photo of her eight-year old cat Bertie, with the hashtag #catsatpollingstations.

Hopefully Bertie didn't meet any dogs on his way.

What you can and can't do at a polling station

You can:

• Use your own pen or pencil. They're also provided as well.
• Tell your social media followers how you voted. You shouldn't update social media accounts inside the polling station but photos of your own postal ballot paper are allowed.
• Bring your children with you. It's encouraged to help educate them but they can't mark your vote on the ballot paper.
• Have help if you're disabled. Polling station staff can help or you can bring someone with you. There's more guidance on what help is available from the Electoral Commission.

You can't:

• Still vote if you're unable to turn up today. The deadlines to vote by proxy or by post in England or Northern Ireland have passed.
• Take a selfie. You can't take photos inside a polling station but you can take photos outside.
• Take your pet inside. Animals, apart from assistance dogs, are not usually allowed in polling stations.
• Discuss the candidates inside the polling station. Political discussion is banned inside polling stations. Staff will intervene if they hear any references to candidates or parties.

Voting today? Here's a checklist of things to consider

BBC

Planning to vote? There's still about two hours to go before the polls close - here's what you need to know:

• Is there a vote in your area? You can check by using our nifty postcode look-up. Or, if you'd prefer, the Electoral Commission has an alphabetical list
• Have you got your ID? For the first time, voters will need to show photo ID in polling stations - passports, driving licences and some other forms of ID can be used. See more here
• Can you get to the polls in time? They're open until 22:00 tonight. If there's a queue when you get there, you'll still be able to vote as long as you joined the queue before 22:00

• What seats are up for grabs? There are 230 councils with around 8,000 councillors' seats and four local mayoral posts being contested

• Where can you follow the results? We'll have all the results and analysis during the night and throughout Friday on the BBC News website

Yacht clubs, pubs and churches... the nation's polling stations

Around England, thousands of voters have been turning out to decide who will represent them locally.

As is the tradition, the vote has been taking place in a whole range of venues that have been taken over for the day.

Here are some of our favourites.

Reuters

Democracy may be at work in the Brocket Arms pub in Ayot St Lawrence, but that doesn't mean the man delivering the kegs gets the day off

Getty Images

Hopefully voters haven't been feeling all at sea as they cast their ballots at this polling station in Poole

EPA

The political parties are hoping voters will join the dots when they walk into the polling booth at the Bank View Cafe in Sheffield

Getty Images

This shipping container in Middlesbrough is one of the nation's smaller polling stations

PA Media

The Bridlington Priory Church in Yorkshire is among the many religious buildings being redeployed for the day

What you need to know about the elections

PA Media

If you are just in the door from work and sitting down to eat, don't worry - there are still a few hours left before the polls close in the local elections.

The vote is happening today in England only, and are deciding who runs services in 230 local councils.

There are around 8,000 councillor seats and four mayoral posts up for grabs - check if there's a vote in your area here.

For the first time, you’ll need to show photo ID to vote in polling stations. Passports and driving licences can be used - more details on accepted ID are here.

Polling stations are open until 22:00 tonight.

You can follow all the results and analysis during the night and throughout Friday on the BBC News website.

Who can vote?

As we've been reporting, polls in England are open as voters in 230 councils will elect roughly 8,000 councillors and four local mayors.

Polling stations opened at 07:00 BST and they'll close at 22:00 tonight. All those eligible to vote need to show their photo ID at the polling stations.

But who is eligible to vote?

According to the UK government website, to vote in a local government election you must be:

• registered to vote
• aged 18 or over
• registered at an address in the area where they want to vote
• a British citizen, an Irish or EU citizen or eligible Commonwealth citizen
• not legally excluded from voting

Rules vary so voters should read their ballot paper carefully.

Election in Hampshire ward suspended due to death of candidate

We're just hearing that the election in a council seat in Hampshire has been suspended because a candidate died after the polls opened.

Conservative councillor Graham Galton, running for election in the Coxford ward in Southampton, died on Thursday.

Residents have been told not to try to vote in the ward, with another election expected to take place within 35 days.

The council said in a statement: "The returning officer has been advised of the death of Coxford ward candidate Mr Graham Galton, who was standing for election to Southampton City Council in today's elections.

"Our condolences go to Mr Galton's family."

Key election words to know

BBC

As voters head to the polls in England, here are some of the key words for today:

• Local council - They are responsible for public services, including providing care, schools, fixing roads and collecting rubbish.

• ID - For the first time you'll need to take photo ID with you to vote.

• Seat - Voters usually have one vote for each available seat in an election area (known as a ward or division).

• Results - They will filter in overnight tonight and throughout the day on Friday. You can keep up with them here.

The rules for broadcasters

Ric Bailey

BBC chief adviser, politics

BBC

During the day while the polls are open, the BBC, along with the other Ofcom-regulated UK broadcasters, is restricted in what it can report.

The BBC is required by electoral law to adopt a code of practice, ensuring fairness between candidates, and that is particularly important on polling day.

The code of practice is contained in more detailed election guidelines which are written and published for each election, and they include guidance about polling day.

On polling day, the BBC does not report on any of the election campaigns from 00:30 BST until polls close at 22:00 BST on TV, radio or bbc.co.uk, or on social media and other channels.

However, online sites do not have to remove archived reports, including, for instance, programmes on iPlayer.

Any lists of candidates and the guide to parties' policies remain available online during polling day.

• Read more from Ric

How do I find my polling station?

Not voted yet? If you have your polling card, it will give the location and address of the polling station you need to go to.

Lost your card? You don't need it to vote, but you do need to go the correct polling station.

You can use a tool on the BBC website to see where your polling station is. The Electoral Commission website also has a "Find your polling station" section, where you can type in your postcode and find out where to vote.

It also gives details for local electoral registration teams - which you can contact to check if you're registered.

WATCH: The local elections explained - in Lego

Need a recap of what local elections are and how they work?

You're in luck - our reporter David Macmillan explains how it all works in under a minute below:

Local Elections 2023 explained... in Lego

Acceptable forms of ID for voting

For the first time in England, voters will need to show their photo ID to vote in person. The rule extends to police and crime commissioner elections, and parliamentary by-elections.

If you're heading to the polls there are 22 forms of valid ID you can use. These include:

• passports
• driving licences
• Older or Disabled Person's bus passes
• Oyster 60+ card

The full list of acceptable ID is available on the government website here

You can use out-of-date ID as long as you look the same. You do not need to bring your poll card.

Some polling stations may have "greeters" outside to remind people to have their IDs out, but you only need to show your ID to staff issuing ballot papers inside.

Those without the right ID were encouraged to sign up for a free Voter Authority Certificate.

From October onwards, the ID requirements will apply to future general elections.

Election quiz

Diggerland

One of the more unusual polling stations at Diggerland in Kent

OK, quiz time. How much do you know about the local elections?

Here are a few questions to test your knowledge. (Alas, there are no prizes for correct answers.)

Questions:

1) What do you need to take with you to vote?

2) How many council seats are up for grabs?

3) What do local councils do?

4) Which nations have an election today?

5) Is there a vote where you live?

Reuters

Answers:

1) New rules mean you'll need to show photo ID at the polling station. You don't need to bring your poll card though.

2) In England, 230 councils will be electing about 8,000 councillors and four local mayors.

3) Local councils are responsible for many public services, including: providing care for the elderly and disabled, schools, fixing potholes on some roads, collecting rubbish.

4) There are elections in England today. In Northern Ireland, 11 council elections are being held on 18 May.

5) You can use our handy election tool to see if there's a vote where you live. You've got until 22:00 tonight until polls close.

What you can and can't do at a polling station

You can:

• Use your own pen or pencil. They're also provided as well.
• Tell your social media followers how you voted. You shouldn't update social media accounts inside the polling station but photos of your own postal ballot paper are allowed.
• Bring your children with you. It's encouraged to help educate them but they can't mark your vote on the ballot paper.
• Have help if you're disabled. Polling station staff can help or you can bring someone with you. There's more guidance on what help is available from the Electoral Commission.

You can't:

• Still vote if you're unable to turn up today. The deadlines to vote by proxy or by post in England or Northern Ireland have passed. In some circumstances an emergency proxy vote is allowed.
• Take a selfie. You can't take photos inside a polling station but you can take photos outside.
• Take your pet inside. Animals, apart from assistance dogs, are not usually allowed in polling stations.
• Discuss the candidates inside the polling station. Political discussion is banned inside polling stations. Staff will intervene if they hear any references to candidates or parties.

More dogs at polling stations

It's not just voters turning up to the polls in England today, #DogsAtPollingStations are keeping us entertained. And at least one of them has her own ID...

Kirklees Council

One member of staff at Kirklees Council chose a Star Wars theme for polling day, which falls on May 4th

Annette Hill/PA

Ruby turned up to the polling station with her very own photo ID

Reuters

Elsie, a dachshund, looks smart siting by a sign at the Greenwood Park Community centre in St Albans

Joseph Whitfield

Polly, Arthur, Buttons and Billy with their owner in Cleadon, South Tyneside

Polls open until 22:00

If you're just joining us, welcome. Our coverage today is focused on local elections in England, where more than 8,000 seats are being contested at 230 councils.

Voters in Bedford, Leicester, Mansfield and Middlesbrough are also choosing their next mayor. Polls will close at 22:00 tonight.

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Results from more than 60 councils are expected overnight, but we expect to find out about the rest throughout the day tomorrow.

For the first time in England, people will need to show their photo ID at polling stations.

If you're on your way to the polls, passports, driving licences and Older or Disabled Person's bus passes are some of the 22 acceptable forms of ID.

Voters in Northern Ireland will head to the polls in two weeks - on 18 May - where 11 council elections will be held.

What do councils do?

Local councils are responsible for many public services, including:

• providing care for the elderly and disabled
• schools
• fixing potholes on some roads
• collecting rubbish

In Northern Ireland, which has elections on 18 May, councils have fewer responsibilities. They do not run education, road-building or housing, but do collect taxes and maintain some local services.

BBC