LOCAL government elections in May have been cancelled.

The government’s announcement comes as the Electoral Commission had previously said the poll should be delayed until the autumn.

As previously reported, residents across England were set to head to the polls on Thursday May 7.

Voting was also due to take place in both England and Wales on May 7 for Police and Crime Commissioners.

But elections have now been postponed due to the coronavirus.

So far 35 people have died with the virus, with 1,140 cases confirmed UK-wide.

At Winchester City Council there was due to have been 14 polls involving seven Lib Dem seats and seven held by the Conservatives. The Lib Dems currently hold 27 seats and the Tories 18.

These elections will now be held in May 2021 at the same time as the Hampshire County Council polls.

Politicians in Hampshire have described the decision as “sensible”.

Keith House, council leader at Eastleigh Borough Council, said: “Delaying these elections is very sensible. Election staff, candidates, campaigners and voters would all be exposed to unacceptable risk. Given we don’t know when the crisis will end taking a decision now to delay a year gives certainty and avoids confusion.”

Donna Jones, who last week was selected as the Conservative candidate for the PCC election in May, said people’s health has to be “number one concern”.

“I support the government for taking the action required,” she said.

But she added: “On a personal level I am clearly very disappointed but my commitment to work over the next 12 months to help reduce crime remains my first commitment and I will be working with the existing PCC Michael Lane to achieve this goal.”

Local elections were due to take place for around 118 English councils, the London Assembly, the Mayor of London and seven English regional mayors.