Don't miss your chance to vote!

Thursday 1 May is the day when you can vote for local councillors to represent you. Elections are taking place in all twenty wards across the Rochdale, Middleton, Heywood and Pennines Townships. To see a list of candidates in each ward, you can visit the election special section of Rochdale Online:

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/elections/default

Roger Ellis, Returning Officer for Rochdale Borough Council, said: "It's really important that you use your vote and take part in the democratic process in the borough. Councillors in your ward make decisions on your behalf all the year round on all kinds of issues that affect you, so this is your chance to take an active part in deciding who your representative is. I'm urging everyone who has a vote in the borough to use it - it does make a difference."

Polling stations will be open on Thursday 1 May 2008 between 7am and 10pm. Just turn up to vote - you don't even need to take your poll card with you. If you've never voted before it is a really simple process and only takes a couple of minutes. Staff will be on hand at polling stations to answer any questions about the voting process.

Votes will be counted straight after the polls close at 10pm on 1 May, with the results expected in the early hours of Friday 2 May. You'll be able to see a live commentary and the results for each ward as they are announced on the night at:

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/elections/default