AS most people will be aware, we are in the run up to the UK's first referendum on membership of the European Union in more than 40 years.

The EU referendum will be held on Thursday, June 23.

We are also in the run up to local elections to decide who will represent local communities at town halls around the country and Bolton is no exception.

Local elections will be held on Thursday, May 5.

I am a great believer that we all have a responsibility to vote and participate in the electoral process.

People fought long and hard for our democratic rights and freedoms.

However flawed our electoral system might be, we should not take our right to vote for granted.

There are important deadlines for all readers to be aware of to register to vote. This is important for anyone who has moved house, changed their name or other important details.

The deadline to register for the local council elections was April 18 and the deadline to register for the European elections is June 7.

Readers can register to vote via the government website gov.uk/register-to-vote

Whatever readers views about local, national or European politics, we should all remember, no vote, no voice.

Joan Pritchard-Jones

Deane

Bolton