VOTERS go to the polls today with 19 of Bury Council’s 51 seats up for grabs .

After elections were cancelled in 2020, 69 candidates will stand in battles across 17 areas in the borough, with the Conservatives, Labour and the Liberal Democrats putting up one prospective councillor for each seat.

Bury is made up of 17 wards, and each ward is represented by three councillors.

Currently the Labour Group has control over Bury Council with 28 seats, the Conservatives have 14 and the Liberal Democrats four.

Hyper-local party Radcliffe First have two councillors while there is one independent member and two vacant seats.

Radcliffe First will put out candidates for each of the town’s three wards, while the Green Party are hopeful of gaining support by fielding candidates in a number of districts.

Among other candidates, Victor Hagan will run as an independent in Moorside, while Stephen Morris runs for the English Democrats in Besses and Michael Foran stands for the Freedom Alliance in Tottington.

There will be two additional seats elected, with vacant positions in both North Manor and Moorside set to be filled meaning voters in those areas will select two representatives.

Voters in Bury will also take part in the Greater Manchester mayoral election with nine candidates hoping to gain that role.

Those voting in person have been assured that extra safety measures have been put in place but have been informed that social distancing measure mean they may have to queue to enter.

Those attending polling stations have been asked to keep themselves and others safe by wearing a face covering, bringing their own pen or pencil, cleaning their hands when entering and leaving the polling station and keeping a safe distance.

For anyone who develops symptoms Bury Council have issued the following advice: “If you become unwell or are self-isolating as a result of Covid-19 shortly before polling day, or on the day itself, you don’t need to miss out on your vote.

“You will be able to apply for an emergency proxy up until 5pm on polling day, so someone you can trust can vote on your behalf.

“You can arrange it by contacting us at Bury Council’s website.”

For those who forget masks or pencils, polling station staff will have spare face coverings and clean pencils available.

Voters will not be prevented from entering the polling station if they forget these things.

The counting of the votes and announcement of winners is set to take place on Friday with results expected in the afternoon.