PEOPLE are angry at their children’s schools being used as polling stations twice in the space of a few weeks.

Today’s Local Election will be followed by the European Elections on May 23, meaning many schools across Merseyside are closing as they’re used for people to cast their votes in the various polls.

That means many parents needing to arrange extra childcare on two days in May.

Today in Liverpool, more than 50 schools are being used as polling stations, with 46 Wirral schools used.

There are a further 16 in Knowsley, and 13 in Sefton.

Some parents have taken to social media to complain about the penalties for taking their kids out of school, but that the government can close them “when it feels”.

Wirral dad Anthony Jones said: “I doubt my kid’s school is the only one in the borough to do so and would think it happens all across the country too.

“We’re lucky that we have [grand]parents to take the kids for us, but know others who have to take days off work because of it.

“It’s them that need to speak out about the issue. Hopefully one day things may change.

“As councils across the country fine parents at the drop of a hat for taking kids out of school, I think it’s a contradiction that they do when they feel.

“It’s not like schools are public spaces for anyone to walk in to. They should be a safe place for our children to be and to learn.

“It’s annoying but it’s something I doubt is ever going to change. I knew that a second poll card was coming, the school forewarned us, and other parents said they had theirs through already.”

Fellow Wirral resident Kayleigh Buck wrote on Twitter: “Why do #LocalElection need to be in kids schools? Go elsewhere! Kids are missing out on their education! If parents kept their kids off because they are ill they get kicked off on.”

According to the Electoral Commission, the returning officer at elections is entitled to use schools maintained or assisted by the council, or those that receive government grants, as polling stations free of charge.

The returning officer, who in the case of Wirral Council is Eric Robinson, chooses the locations of polling stations, as well as deciding how many are needed, where they should be, and how many members of staff they need.

Schools used as polling stations routinely inform parents weeks ahead of the date of the election.

Wirral Council was contacted for a comment.