The deadline to register to vote in the upcoming local elections is fast approaching, Monday in fact.

Elections to North Somerset Council, and Bath and North East Somerset Council, as well as to many town and parish councils within those areas, are happening on May 4.

Voters who are not on the electoral roll will need to register to vote before the deadline at 11.59pm on Monday April 17 in order to be able to cast a vote in the election.

If you have previously registered to vote, you will need to register again if you have moved house or changed your name for any reason. You can register to vote online here: https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

Everyone will now also need to show a photo ID on polling day in order to vote. Only certain forms of ID are accepted but they will be accepted even if the ID has expired, as long as the picture still looks like you and your name on the ID is the same as your name on the electoral register.

If you do not have an accepted form of ID that meets this criteria, you can get a voter authority certificate here and show that instead: https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate

You need to apply for a voter authority certificate before 5pm on April 25 in order to have it in time for the local elections.

Bath and North East Somerset Council's chief executive and returning officer Will Godfrey said: "Local elections are an important opportunity for residents to have a say on who makes decisions about issues that directly affect day-to-day life here in Bath and North East Somerset.

"Please make sure that you are registered to vote, especially if you have just turned 18 or moved house recently. If in doubt, contact us on 01225 477333 or [email protected]."

If you live in the North Somerset council area can check if you are registered to vote by contacting the electoral services team on 01934 634 909 or [email protected].

 The forms of ID which will be accepted at polling stations are:

• a UK or Northern Ireland photocard driving licence (full or provisional)
• a driving licence issued by the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Isle of Man or any of the Channel Islands
• a UK passport
• a passport issued by the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or a Commonwealth country
• a PASS card (National Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
• a Blue Badge
• a biometric residence permit (BRP)
• a Defence Identity Card (MOD form 90)
• a national identity card issued by the EU, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
• a Northern Ireland Electoral Identity Card
• a Voter Authority Certificate
• an Anonymous Elector's Document
• an older person's bus pass
• a disabled person's bus pass
• an Oyster 60+ card
• a Freedom Pass
• a Scottish National Entitlement Card (NEC)
• a 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
• a Disabled Person's Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
• a Northern Ireland concessionary travel pass

You can register to vote here, until 11.59pm on April 17: https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

You can apply for a voter authority certificate here, until 5pm on April 25: https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate