All votes are to be counted in the Stretford and Urmston by-election despite a Royal Mail strike around the time of the polls, Trafford Council reassured residents.

The by-election is scheduled for December 15 after Kate Green stood down to take over as the Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester some time in the New Year.

Currently, a Royal Mail strike is planned for several days in December, including the day before the by-election and the day of the by-election.

In response, Trafford Council set up a number of secure locations across Stretford and Urmston for people to take their postal votes instead.

READ MORE: Stretford and Urmston by-election – what, who, when, where, why?

They reassured residents all votes are to be counted as long as these are either posted as soon as possible or returned to one of the secure locations. They can also be returned to polling stations on December 15.

Sara Todd, returning officer for the by-election, said: "It’s important that everyone is able to vote and that their vote is counted. Therefore, we urge people who have a postal vote, to return it as soon as possible.

"As an added precaution, we've identified secure locations where people can drop off their postal ballots to make sure every vote is counted."

These are the secure locations, which are open on weekdays from December 5 to the day before the by-election.

Stretford Library, 10am to 4pm

Partington Library, 10am to 4pm

Urmston Library, 10am to 4pm

Limelight Health and Wellbeing Hub, 10am to 4pm

Sale Waterside, 10am to 4pm

Trafford Town Hall, 8am to 6pm

This article was written by Jack Tooth. Jack is a reporter for The Messenger and covers anything and everything from within the Metropolitan Borough of Trafford.

To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.