TODAY (Thursday June 10) is election day -- and residents still have time to make their mark.

Turnout is already up on last year. By 4pm on Tuesday, almost 36 per cent of residents had sent back their postal votes, up from 31 per cent in the 2003 local elections.

It is also considerably better than the 19.5 per cent turnout in the last European elections.

Council bosses are predicting that the turnout could reach 40 per cent, and they urge people who have not yet voted to return their forms to Bury Town Hall by 10pm tonight.

Mr Mark Sanders, chief executive of Bury Council, said: "Everyone here has been working tirelessly to ensure people get their ballot papers and it has been a fantastic effort by our staff and the Royal Mail.

"These are important elections and, in a week when we have been remembering D-Day, I would urge residents to cast their votes.

"I cannot think of a more timely tribute to so many of our citizens who fought and died to protect democracy."