Polling stations across Halton are now open as residents vote in three local elections.

Today (Thursday) sees votes being cast for Halton councillors, a police and crime commissioner for Cheshire, and the metro mayor of the Liverpool City Region.

Polling stations across Halton will be open until 10pm, but residents are reminded to bring photo ID with them or be turned away.

In the council elections 18 seats are being contested – a third of all seats in Halton. Labour, Liberal Democrat, Conservative, Reform UK, Liberal Party, Green Party and independent candidates are all vying for votes.

The current makeup of Halton is Labour (49), Lib Dem (3), Conservative (2).

The metro mayor elections will see all six councils in the Liverpool City Region (LCR) choosing a new leader for the devolved authority. Whoever wins will have a major say on things like infrastructure, training, business investment, transport and skills investment in Halton.

The crime commissioner elections will see Halton, Warrington, Cheshire East and Cheshire West choose a new elected representative whose job it is to hold the police to account. They can hire and fire the Chief Constable and are also responsible for budgets and local policing priorities.

But changes in regulations brought in by the Government last year means anyone who does not have the correct photo ID will be turned away today. A passport, driving licence photocard or blue badge are all valid, as is an older person's bus pass along with several other forms of ID. A full list can be found here.

And a full list of candidates for all three elections can be found here.