Tens of thousands of Leicestershire residents have opted to vote from home in next month's county council elections – and others wishing to apply for a postal vote have just days left to do so.

While polling stations will be Covid-secure and open as usual on May 6, postal votes are an option for all, but applications must be received by the deadline of 5pm on April 20.

All areas of the county have already shown a sharp increase in the number of people applying for a postal vote this year.

To apply to vote by post, you need to download, print and fill in a postal vote application form and send the completed form to the electoral services team at your local district or borough council.

If you aren't able to cast your vote in person, you can ask someone you trust to cast your vote for you.

This is called a proxy vote and the proxy (person voting on your behalf) can either go to your polling station to cast your vote, or apply to vote for you by post.

To apply for a proxy vote at your polling station you should complete the form to vote by proxy, explaining why you can't get to your polling station in person.

The deadline for proxy votes is April 27 – however if you are self-isolating, then you can apply up to 5pm on voting day itself.

Graeme Wardle, head of member services at Leicestershire County Council, said: "We want to make sure that everyone who is entitled to vote can do so on May 6, regardless of the pandemic.

"Whether you choose to vote at a polling station or by post or proxy, I'd urge everyone to take the time to have their say. By using your vote, you can help shape the future of county council services."

The county council provides a wide range of services including adult social care, children's social care, public health, transport, education, planning, road maintenance, libraries, waste management and trading standards.

This year Leicestershire residents will be voting in elections for both the county council and the county's Police and Crime Commissioner. In some areas, electors will also vote in by-elections and local referenda.

To find out more about registering for a postal or proxy vote, go to [L]https://www.leicestershire.gov.uk/about-the-council/how-the-council-works/elections[.L]Council elections[.L].