Solihull residents have just under two weeks left to register to vote in this year's local elections.

Contests will be taking place across all 17 wards, with a third of the borough's 51 seats up for grabs.

A full list of the candidates standing in every area is due to be published shortly.

Voters will go to the polls on Thursday, May 2 and you have until next Friday (April 12) to register, if you have not already done so.

The General Election count for Meriden and Solihull at the North Solihull sports centre.
Ballot papers being counted at North Solihull Sports Centre.

In the run-up to the deadline, the council will be posting regular reminders on social media, using the #MySolihullMyVote hashtag.

Earlier this year options to boost turn-out were discussed by councillors, amid concerns that fewer than one in five people cast a ballot in Kingshurst & Fordbridge at the 2018 elections.

There has long been a problem with varying numbers of people voting in different wards, some just a few miles apart.

On the other side of the borough, in Knowle, turn-out was around double - with 38.5 per cent of voters having their say.

Previous analysis suggests the north/south divide is in part because people in Solihull's northern wards tend to be younger and more likely to be living in rented accommodation.

Traditionally these are two demographics which are statistically less likely to take part in elections.

For more information about the council elections and how to register, visit  www.solihull.gov.uk/elections