Berkshire heads to the polls as stations open

Polling stations across Berkshire have opened for the local elections.

All of the seats on Wokingham Borough Council, along with a third of those on Reading Borough Council, are up for election.

As well as electing council representatives, people will also be voting for the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).

Polling stations across the county opened at 07:00 BST and will close at 22:00.

For only the second time, voters will require a form of photo ID - such as a passport or driving licence - in order to cast their ballot.

All 54 seats on Wokingham Borough Council are up for election, with the council currently under no overall control.

• Explained: What ID do I need to vote?

• When and where are they, and who can vote?

• •Voting for the first time: All you need to know

It is currently run by a minority Liberal Democrat administration.

Sixteen of the 48 seats on Reading Borough Council are also up for grabs.

The Labour Party currently run the council, holding 32 seats.

Both are unitary authorities - meaning they are responsible for all local government matters in their wards.

In the PCC race, Conservative incumbent Matthew Barber is facing competition from Labour & Co-Operative candidate Tim Starkey, Tim Bearder of the Liberal Democrats, Ben Holden-Crowther - who is representing More Police Officers for Thames Valley - and independent candidate Russell Douglas Fowler.

PCCs are elected officials whose role is to help ensure police forces function effectively but not to run those forces themselves.

They also set the annual budget for their force and oversee community safety, as well as setting out force strategy and policing priorities in a Police and Crime Plan.

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