IT is D-Day for the local election candidates as the borough’s residents head for the polling stations.

A third of Wigan Council’s 75 seats are up for grabs in the election today, with a seat contested in every ward.

Polling stations will open at 7am and close at 10pm and the list of candidates battling it out at the ballot boxes feature individuals representing Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, Ukip and the Green Party, as well as independent candidates.

All residents who have registered to vote are urged to make sure they do so.

Donna Hall, chief executive of the council, said: “It is so important for everyone to vote in the elections.

“There can be a perception that voting doesn’t matter, but this really isn’t the case.

“Everything the council does is governed by our councillors.”

The elections provide you with the opportunity to have your say on how the borough is run and select a politician to represent you. Elected members decide the direction of Wigan Council and make key decisions about the borough’s housing, schools, community hubs, roads and care services.

The results of the elections will be announced in the early hours of tomorrow, Friday morning.

For more information about the elections, visit wigan.gov.uk/elections.