This week, many in our region will be gearing up to decide who to vote for at the ballot box.

On Thursday, every adult in the region will be entitled to have their say in several local elections.

In today’s gallery, we look back at those who have been elected, those who have voted in previous years and, importantly, those who make these important events possible with their dedication to ensuring everyone who wants to vote can and, of course, that every last vote is accounted for!

On Thursday, May 6, 2021, residents in Copeland will go to the polls to elect a Police and Crime Commissioner for Cumbria.

There is also a by-election taking place for a councillor on Copeland Borough Council in the Whitehaven Central Ward.

Due to the ongoing consultation into local government reorganisation in Cumbria, the Cumbria County Council elections that were due to take place on May 6 have been postponed until May 2022.

If any of the unitary authority proposals are agreed, elections to the new unitary, or unitaries, would take place in May 2022.

If, following the consultation, a unitary proposal is not implemented in Cumbria, the Cumbria County Council elections will take place in May 2022.

In today's gallery, we see scenes of jubilation as councillors were elected to Copeland Borough Council.

In today's set of pictures we see a meeting of the generations as former two time mayor Alderman Ossie Coyles (96) met Ryan Woods (20) who was the youngest Labour Party member, 2015.

We also see some of the true behind the scenes heroes of the operation in action with volunteers getting the Copeland election ballot boxes ready for the polling stations at the Copeland Council offices.

For those featured, this stands as a reminder of the importance of local democracy and just how many people have dedicated so much of their time to ensuring the process is a success.

As ever, if you do spot yourself, a friend or a family member and have any memories to share with us, please do get in touch!