Local elections: Which votes are happening in my area and who's standing?

Watch: Anne-Marie Trevelyan confident of positive result in local elections

Voters across the UK will head to the polls on Thursday 5 May to cast their ballots in local elections.

Every council seat is up for grabs in Scotland, Wales, London and parts of England, while Northern Ireland will elect a new assembly.

Local issues such as bin collections, pot holes and access to libraries will likely weigh on the minds of many voters.

But this year's elections are also likely to be a verdict on the main party leaders and their handling of the cost-of-living crisis and COVID.

It will be the first big electoral test for Boris Johnson since the "Partygate" scandal, which has sent his approval ratings plunging.

Here is everything you need to know about the 2022 local elections.

Which elections are happening and who are the candidates?

Local elections are being held on in each of the four nations.

What's on your ballot will depend on where you live, but votes are taking place for:

• Every local authority in Scotland, Wales and London

• South Yorkshire's regional mayor plus the borough councils of Barnsley and Sheffield

• 60 district councils, 31 Metropolitan boroughs and 19 unitary authorities across the rest of England

• County councils in North Yorkshire and Somerset

• All 90 seats in the Northern Ireland assembly

• Local mayors in Croydon, Hackney, Lewisham, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Watford

There is also a referendum in Bristol on whether to keep or abolish the city's elected mayor.

You can find out which candidates are standing in your area by entering your postcode on the Electoral Commission website.

How can I vote in the local elections?

The deadline for registering to vote has already passed.

If you are already registered to vote, you can cast your ballot at your local polling station, which will be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday.

You do not need to bring your polling card with you to vote. If you've lost it and don't know the address of your polling station, enter your postcode on the Electoral Commission website.

If you live in England, Wales or Scotland, you do not need to bring photo ID to vote.

In Northern Ireland, you will need to show photo ID, such as your passport, driving licence, Electoral Identity Card or Translink SmartPass.