THERE is just a week to go until voters across Bury head for the polls to shake up those in charge at the town hall.

Seventeen of the 51 Bury Council seats — one from each ward — are up for grabs at next Thursday's local elections and candidates have been hard at work campaigning, posting leaflets and knocking on doors in their respective wards.

All deadlines to register to vote in person, by proxy or by post have passed so anyone who missed the cut-off on April 18 will not be able to vote in this election.

Next Thursday polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm and all those on the electoral register have been sent their poll card detailing where they should go to vote.

It is not necessary to bring along the polling card but once at the station, voters will need to give their name and address to staff in order to receive their ballot paper.

Those who registered for a postal vote will also have received their polling cards, which need to be returned by 10pm on polling day.

When voting ends at 10pm,

The turnout for local elections is notoriously low compared with General Election. It was 42.9 per cent in 2014, compared with 64.9 per cent last year.

Chosen councillors will play a role in setting the council tax, deciding how much cash is spent on local services and helping residents deal with council-related issues.

Labour is defending 13 of its 34 seats, with the Conservatives aiming to make gains against their rivals while also defending its three seats in North Manor, Tottington, and Church ward.

The Liberal Democrats will be contesting 13 seats while the Bury Green Party have put up a candidate in every ward in a bid to add to their one seat in Radcliffe East.

The parties without a seat in Bury who are hoping to make the break-through are UKIP. who have nine candidates and the English Democrats, who have one candidates, respectively.