Voters reminded they will need ID to vote in next month's West Berkshire local elections

Residents are being reminded that they will need ID to vote in next month's local council elections.

It is the first time that identification will be needed to cast your vote in the UK.

There are 120,286 people who can vote in the district’s May local council elections.

“We really want to get the message out that people will be asked for photo ID in this election for the first time,” said West Berkshire chief executive Nigel Lynn, who is the returning officer and responsible for the process.

He said that there will be 132 polling stations, employing 390 staff on polling day itself, with 140 staff on the vote counting.

That will take place on Friday, May 5, the day after the election, at Newbury Racecourse.

Postal votes account for 22,069 members of the electorate and postal vote registration needs to be in by 5pm today (April 18).

It is now too late to register to vote, as that needed to be done by yesterday (Monday).

“Voter photo ID is being used for first time in elections and you will be turned away without it,” added Mr Lynn, concerned that if people aren’t aware of the new regulation they will not be able to vote.

“A voter authority certificate can be applied for until 25th April – we have had 100 people apply so far.”

Details of photo ID needed are on the polling cards, which residents should have received, but the council also has this number – (01635) 519464 – for election enquiries.