Ed: ID will be required when voting in person at the district and town council elections on 4 May.

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Election time is nearly with us and as usual, it's really important to use your vote - local elections are especially important in letting you have your say on your local area.

This isn't a campaigning piece or a plea for you to vote for me, though obviously please feel free to do so!

I'd like to remind you that you need to have valid ID with you when you vote.

I could bang on about how the new system is unnecessary, expensive and makes it really hard for youngsters to vote; a senior person's railcard is valid ID but a student railcard is not, for example.

But I won't do that here - that's an argument for another day. What I will say is that voter ID is happening, and is necessary to vote at the local elections in May of this year.

You have two choices if you do not have valid ID.

They are to either register for a voter authority certificate online, or to request a postal vote at the East Devon website.

Whoever you vote for, whatever your political leanings, and whatever your thoughts on voter ID, you must jump through these hoops if you don't have a picture driving licence, a passport or another form of accepted ID.

And if you're reading this as the parent of a potential first-time voter, make sure you explain this to them - voting is an important right and the earlier they start the more likely they are to continue throughout their lives.

Don't lose your chance to have your say!