Following the sad passing of Councillor Linda Maloney MBE, a by-election will soon take place in Blackbrook Ward.

A notice of election was published yesterday, Thursday, November 7, with the election to take place on Thursday, December 12.

Blackbrook Ward residents can expect to receive their poll cards as soon as Friday, November 8.

Registering to vote can be done online in just a few minutes. Blackbrook residents should do so by Tuesday, November 26 to be registered in time for the by-election.

Postal voters in the area can expect to receive their postal vote packs from Monday, December 2.

Postal voting is a convenient way to cast your vote. You can apply online at www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote by 5pm on Wednesday, November 27.

Last year Government introduced a requirement for voters to show photo ID when voting at a polling station, which will apply to this by-election. If you forget to bring yours, you won’t be able to vote but you can return later with it.

Accepted forms of voter ID include passports, driving licenses, blue badges and a range of Government-funded travel passes.

If you are intending on using your older person's bus pass as a form of ID, then it must be a national travel pass and state that it is funded by HM Government. Local travel passes cannot be used as a form of ID.

Expired documents will be accepted at the polling station if the photograph is still a good likeness of you.

For more information on which forms of photo ID will be accepted, visit www.sthelens.gov.uk/voter-id or call 01744 676464.

If you don't already have an accepted form of photo ID, or you're not sure whether your photo ID still looks like you, you can apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate. This is a document specifically for the purpose of voting.

Apply by 5pm on Wednesday, December 4 to get a Voter Authority Certificate in time for the Blackbrook Ward by-election,at https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate.