VOTERS are going to the polls today to elect the councillors who will run Inverclyde for the next five years.

The number of councillors has been increased from 20 to 22, and Inverclyde Council will have now seven wards instead of six.

And, for the first time in local authority elections, 16-year-olds are able to vote.

Polling stations opened at 7am and will close at 10pm, but counting will not be done until tomorrow morning because voting is by proportional representation rather than the simple first past the post method used in general elections.

The Tele visited several polling stations in central Greenock this morning, but it was a slow start despite the sunshine.

Ten people had voted at the Mid Kirk by 8am, with similar numbers at the Lyle Kirk, Ardgowan Bowling Club and St John’s Episcopal Church.

Voting at Ardgowan, Steven and Karen Paul of Brougham Street said they feared the local poll was being overshadowed by the general election, which will be held in June.

Mr Paul, who works at Texas Instruments, said: “We have been trying to keep the elections separate.”

Another voter at St John’s, who did not want to be named, also said he felt there could be confusion over the two elections being held so closely together.

He said: “I think one of the main issues at this election is which party will be able to cope best with the budget restrictions that are coming in.”

Labour ran a minority administration for the last five years, and are fielding nine candidates today.

The SNP have the most contenders, with a total of 12, while the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats have seven each, UKIP have one and there are 10 independents.

Regeneration and the future of Inverclyde Royal Hospital have been among the campaign topics, as well as rail services, parking and dog fouling.

Fourteen of the 46 candidates are seeking re-election, including three former Provosts.

Inverclyde Council chief executive Aubrey Fawcett is the returning officer, replacing former local authority boss, John Mundell, who retired last year. Votes will be counted tomorrow at the Waterfront Leisure Centre, where Mr Fawcett will announce results ward-by-ward, with full details expected by around lunchtime.