A CAMPAIGN has been launched to encourage more people across the region to register to vote ahead of local elections in May.

It is estimated that 16% of people are not registered to vote in the North West according to the Electoral Commission and now it is launching a new campaign called 'Got 5?'.

The campaign encourages people to take five minutes to register to vote online via www.gov.uk/registertovote.

It will also target young people aged 18 to 34, recent home movers and private renters - all identified as less likely to be registered to vote.

Elections are taking place across the North West including Wirral on May 2 and anyone who is not yet registered but wants to be must do so by Friday, April 12.

Peter Forrester, electoral commission regional manager for the North West, said: “The North West is gearing up for local elections in May.

"With most of the region going to the polls, it is vital that people in these areas register to vote before the 12 April deadline.

“It only takes five minutes to register to vote online - time that you might otherwise spend waiting for the kettle to boil or a bus to arrive.

"So if you want to make sure your voice is heard, go online and register now.”

To vote in local elections a person must be registered to vote, 18 years or over on polling day and also be one of the following:

• a British citizen, a qualifying Commonwealth citizen, or a citizen of the EU

• resident in the UK

• not be subject to any legal incapacity to vote

If you have recently moved house and have not changed or updated your details, you will need to register to vote online at www.gov.uk/registertovote.