Leicestershire residents are being urged to make sure they use their vote in May's County Council elections.

More than 500,000 people are expected to be eligible to head to the polls on May 1 - and will elect 55 councillors to represent them.

The council says that, once elected, county councillors will be involved in making decisions about how council services are delivered, 'as well as helping to shape the look of local councils for generations to come'.

Residents who are not already registered to vote need to apply by midnight on Friday, 11 April on the Government's website HERE.

The turnout in the 2021 election was 33 per cent and polling cards have already been delivered to voters in the Ashby area.

Graeme Wardle, Leicestershire County Council's head of member services, said: "From roads and transport, local health and social care to school places and waste disposal, the county council makes decisions on local services that affect everyone in Leicestershire.

"We all use or may need to use these services in the future – that's why it's so important to use your vote on May 1 to elect your local representative.

"Please don't assume you're registered to vote. People miss out on the chance to vote by thinking they're registered - we're urging people not to lose out by using their vote."

The final list of nominated people standing in each division will be available from Friday, April 4.

Find out more about the elections by clicking HERE.