Forest of Dean residents who aren't going to be around for the local elections on May 1 have until next Monday before they lose their chance for a say in who governs the district.

Shire Hall is revisiting the ballot box for the entire Forest District, with one council seat up for grabs for each of these eight divisions: Blakeney (and Bream), Cinderford, Coleford, Drybrook (and Lydbrook), Lydney, Mitcheldean, Newent and Sedbury.

Meanwhile, two district council wards for Forest of Dean District Council (FoDDC) are also to be contested for the Cinderford East and Newent and Taynton wards.

But FoDDC has warned that April 14 is the cutoff for postal and proxy voting, with anyone wishing to keep their vote for both of the council's available spots needing to have secured it by 5pm on that day. Applicants need to have their National Insurance number to hand when making the application, while if you already have a postal vote in place, you do not need to reapply.

Alternatively, electors can appoint someone else to vote on their behalf as a proxy, the deadline to apply this being 5pm on Wednesday, April 23. Proxy voters are reminded to show their own valid ID when voting.

A spokesperson said: "All voters must bring an accepted form of photographic ID to the polling station. in May. If you do not have one, you can apply for free voter ID (Voter Authority Certificate) online, or by completing a paper form which is available from the Council."

Residents who cannot apply online or need assistance can contact FoDDC on 01594 812638.

● The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate is 5pm on Wednesday, 23 April, with more details available from the Electoral Commission at www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voting-and-elections/voter-id/applying-a-voter-authority-certificate. For more information on current and future Forest of Dean elections, including candidates, go to https://www.fdean.gov.uk/currentelections.