Anyone going to a polling station to vote in person might be advised to pack a small bag.

They will be asked to take their own pen or pencil to use to cast their vote and will be required to wear a face covering at all times inside the polling station.

READ MORE: All the candidates standing in the Swindon local elections

It might take some time to get into the station itself. There will be a limit on the number of people inside at any one time – and access will be on a one in, one out basis.

While the weather is set of be decent in Swindon today, with a forecast high of 10C and a 10 per cent chance of rain in the middle of the day, this is Britain after all – so a brolly or a coat might be useful, just in case.

Once inside, every voter in Swindon will be handed two ballot papers, with some getting up to four.

There are elections for councillors in every ward of Swindon Borough Council and also for the Police and Crime Commissioner for Swindon and Wiltshire, with Angus Macpherson standing down after nine years in the role.

Voters should cast one vote for their borough councillor – except in Wroughton and Wichelstowe where they can cast two votes because there is a by-election being held at the same time.

Residents have two votes for PCC and should mark their first and second choice – it is not compulsory to make a second choice.

There are also elections for members of nine parish councils, and referendums on two neighbourhood plans – Blunsdon East and Stratton St Margaret.