Polls close for first town council elections

Polling stations have now closed in parts of North Yorkshire after people cast their vote in elections for two new town councils.

People in Harrogate will be selecting 19 councillors in 19 wards, while voters in Scarborough will be choosing 15 councillors representing five wards.

The two councils have been created for the previously unparished parts of the towns, following local government reorganisation in North Yorkshire in 2023.

Polling stations opened at 07:00 and remained open until 22:00 BST.

A town council is the first tier of local government which represents and serves the residents of a town.

Those elected on Thursday will serve as councillors for two years, with elections held again in 2027 to align with elections for North Yorkshire Council.

North Yorkshire Council will publish the results of the election on its website.

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