THE polling stations are open today as residents go to the polls in the European elections.

Eight seats are available, representing the north west region, and voters will get to choose from a list of candidates put forward by the various parties.

Across the UK as a whole, 73 MEPs will be returned to sit in the 754-member European Parliament.

Ballot papers will be counted after polls close on Thursday, but the final announcement of the result will not be made until Sunday night.

This is because some of the EU’s 28 member states vote on Saturday and Sunday.
Final results from across the north west will be announced at Manchester Town Hall on Sunday night, after the polls close across the rest of Europe.