TODAY is D-Day for councils up and down the country as thousands take to the polls.

Voters have until 10pm tonight to visit their local polling stations and have their say on who runs their local council.

In Worcestershire, electors are being called upon to cast their vote for Worcester city, Wychavon district, Malvern Hills district, Wyre Forest district and Herefordshire councils, as well as a host of town and parishes.

In Worcester, 49 polling stations will be set up for 22,000 people who are eligible to vote in 11 city council wards - a third of the total.

The controlling Conservative administration is defending a one-seat majority on the council - it has 18 councillors, compared with 11 from Labour, three from the Liberal Democrats and three independents.

Counting the votes will begin as soon as the polls close at 10pm. Worcester is traditionally one of the quickest to declare in the country, although the districts take much longer and Wychavon isn't counting until Friday.

Overseeing the election in Worcester for the first time this year is John Scarborough, the council's head of governance and corporate support.

Mr Scarborough is looking forward to his first duty as returning officer. He said: "It's a great privilege to be undertaking this role, particularly as it takes place in the historic setting of the Guildhall."

"Despite it being my first election as returning officer, I can rely on 20 years of previous experience in a variety of roles on local, national and European elections.

"I am also blessed with an experienced and dedicated of team working behind the scenes at the polling stations and at the count itself."

Elsewhere in Worcestershire it is set to be a big night too.

In the district of Wychavon, 96 candidates are standing across 44 of the district council's 45 wards.

At Malvern Hills District Council, 90 candidates will contest seats in all 22 wards.

ELECTION FACTFILE* There are 44 candidates in Worcester, 96 in Wychavon and 90 in Malvern Hills.

* Polling stations across the county will be staffed by volunteers between 7am and 10pm. All will have one presiding officer.

* Counting will start in Worcester, Herefordshire, Malvern and Wyre Forest as soon as voting ends at 10pm.

* Complete results are expected at midnight in Worcester, 3am in Malvern, 2.30am in Herefordshire and 4am in Wyre Forest.

* Wychavon's count will not be declared until 1.30pm on Friday due to postal voting anti-fraud measures.

* Polling stations include schools, village halls, pubs, and even a conservatory.

* There is no overall majority in Malvern Hills, although the Lib Dems and Greens run it with a combined alliance of 18 seats * The Conservatives are in control in Wychavon, with an overall majority of 17.

* The Conservatives control Worcester City Council with a one-seat majority. The tightest Worcester ward is Arboretum, with Labour defending a 37-vote majority.

* The average turnout for local elections is 35 per cent.

* Staging local elections is paid for by the taxpayer. Worcester's is expected to cost in the region of £70,000, while Wychavon expects to pay £150,000.

LOCAL ELECTION SPECIAL

Tomorrow:

Results and reaction in your Worcester News

Tonight:

Follow the results as they come in and join our elections debate at www.WorcesterNews.co.uk