TODAY the people of Worcester will decide the future direction of the city.Some of you may already have voted by the time you read this; others may be planning to do so later.

Many more, if the average turnout of about 35 per cent in last year's council elections is anything to go by, may not vote at all.

If you are in the latter group, we would urge you to use your vote. It is not the role of this newspaper to promote any particular political party or to suggest you vote for any particular candidate.

But we do have a role to play in encouraging our readers to engage in the democratic process.

Votes for all are a hard-earned right for everyone in this country. Some would argue that deciding not to vote is as much a political decision as entering the polling booth.

We would not disagree. But if you simply cannot be bothered to vote and then find the party that wins this election has policies with which you fundamentally disagree, remember that you could have done something about it.

Many are turned off from voting because of the 'Punch and Judy' nature of politics. We have to say that some elements of campaigning in this election - from both of the main parties - have done little to enhance the reputation of politicians.

Voters do not want playground arguments in local politics - they want better and more efficient services in return for their council tax. We hope that whoever wakes up tomorrow morning charged with running Worcester remembers that.

  • Check our comprehensive list of polling booths to make sure you know where to vote.
  • Click here for our list of wards and candidates, and read what they have to say before casting your vote.
  • Click here for our results page which will be updated live as the counts are announced late tonight.
  • Is it time for change? Vote in our online poll on the main news page here and discuss this issue in depth in our Your Say forums here.