EUROPEAN Parliament election costs in the town would total up to £230,000, the Warrington Guardian understands.

But all expenses are expected to be met by the Government, rather than Warrington Borough Council.

Officers have been holding weekly meetings to prepare, with 128 polling stations scheduled to be open in the borough on election day, May 23.

Under terms agreed with EU leaders, the UK has been given a Brexit extension until October 31 which, if needed, means the UK must hold elections to the European Parliament.

And households across the town are being reminded to register by May 7.

Poll cards are set to be distributed from April 23 in preparation for the potential elections.

In the north west, more than five million people will have the opportunity to vote for representatives to the European Parliament, MEPs, with eight seats up for grabs in the region.

Council chief executive and returning officer Steven Broomhead said: "There is still national uncertainty about whether the elections will go ahead but we need to fully prepare for this possibility.

"To vote in an election, you need to be registered.

"The deadline for registration for these elections is Tuesday May 7.

"If you think you will be unable to visit your polling station to cast your vote, you can also apply for a postal vote or proxy.

"The deadline for applying for a postal vote is 5pm on Wednesday May 8.

"The deadline for applying for proxy is 5pm on Wednesday May 15.

"It’s particularly important that anyone who has moved house recently checks they are registered with the right information."

There are 751 Members of the European Parliament – of those, 73 represent the UK.

For more information visit warrington.gov.uk/elections or gov.uk/elections-in-the-uk/european-parliament.