Local elections: in case you're wondering when we'll know the results…

Voting began this morning at 7am amid showers of hailstones, but the day has brightened since then so it seems unlikely that turnout will be badly affected by adverse weather.

In Wirral there are elections to Wirral Council, for the Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), and mayor for the Liverpool City Region combined authority, also known as the "metro" mayor.

Unlike local elections in previous years the counting will not take place overnight.

After polls close at 10pm ballot boxes will be transferred to the Count Centre at Wirral Tennis and Leisure Centre, where they will remain sealed and be kept guarded through the night.

From around 7am on Friday, May 7, election officials will begin the process of verifying the votes - this process ensures the votes tally and must be done before counting can take place.

It's expected that counting of votes for the council elections will not start before 1.30pm on Friday May 7 at the earliest, and will be published on the council website and social media channels.

Counting for the PCC and metro mayor will take place on Saturday, May 8, and the result will be published on the websites of Liverpool City Region and Wirral Council.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions there will be fewer people at the count – including a smaller number of people counting votes to allow for social distancing – and as a result there may be a longer wait than previous years before results are able to be announced.

All results will be available here from Wirral Council website.