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Local Elections 2023 explained... in Lego

Voters in some parts of England and Northern Ireland will choose new councillors on 4 May.

More than 8,000 seats will be contested at 230 councils across England.

Mayoral elections are also taking place in Middlesbrough, Bedford, Leicester and Mansfield.

BBC Tees Political Reporter David Macmillan explains what to expect at the polling station.

27 April 2023

England local elections 2023

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Norman, smiling, at the wheel of a bus

Bus driver retires after 54 years of service

Margaret Dillon

'I just love life. Age is just a number'

Mother Jane sits on sofa next to one of her children

Children scared rioters would break in through broken window

A police dog bites a man on the buttock.

Middlesbrough and Hartlepool rioters jailed

Brendan Nwabichie

Fundraiser for carer after car set alight in riot

Masked protester holding chair as police officers stand in line next to plume of white smoke

Watch: Violent crowds hurl missiles, set fires and target hotels

A group of three men fishing at a water's edge

Fishing helps addicts to rebuild their lives

PC Maverick Reddington was stabbed under his armpit and describes the incident as "absolute bedlam".

Bodycam footage shows police fighting off knifeman

Two men play a game of Warhammer

Tabletop wargamers talk about general election

Graphic showing BBC general election branding

From 'I know nowt about politics' to election savvy

House explosion

Watch: House explosion caught on doorbell camera

Three masked men

BBC goes inside estates where residents say crime has made life brutal

A younger woman hugs an older woman

Neighbours transform 94-year-old's 'jungle' garden

Connie and Dennis Cutts celebrating 70 years of marriage at the Dorman's Club with half a pint of lager each

Couple celebrate 70 years at club where they met

Two Labour supporters clap and cheer

Key moments from the local elections... in 60 seconds

Jon Jones listening through headphones to the 2024 EP from Teesside band Motions

Metal music used to explore addiction struggles

Dominic holding gardening tools

Community rallies after boy's garden tools stolen

Alex and Ian, a homeless couple in Doorways cafe

'It's a bit hard loved up when you're homeless'

Lego Durham Cathedral model rebuilt and on display

Lego Durham Cathedral makes a triumphant return

John Cramp

Lego super fan designs dream red phone box kit

Riley smiles and holds a laptop screen with Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively on it.

Meeting Deadpool 'means everything' to boy, 9

Riley, who has cancer, is surprised after an online appeal to meet the Marvel star.

Bob the therapy dog, sat underneath a try in a pool of light at nighttime

Meet Bob the therapy dog who supports the homeless

The black Labrador goes out on street sweeps to help a charity speak with vulnerable people.

A woman walking and dancing alongside a busy road. She is wearing a white short-sleeved top over a black long-sleeved one and slightly cropped black sports leggings. She is waving to someone off camera as cars drive past.

Meet the Billingham Dancing Lady

Helen Gordon can be seen every morning dancing through the streets of Billingham.

The children staged a peaceful protest by the rope-swing

Rope-swing victory for pint-sized protesters

An MP has praised a group of children following a peaceful protest to save a beloved rope-swing.

Cole Stewart on CCTV throwing bricks

Footage shows teenager throwing bricks at police

An 18-year-old is sentenced after being caught throwing bricks at police during violent disorder.

Volunteers team up to unearth 19th century lighthouse

Archaeological dig 'like a close community'

Tees Archaeology enlists the help of 47 volunteers for a week-long excavation in Hartlepool.

Leyla Ozturk

'Football literally saved my life'

Leyla Ozturk was diagnosed with thyroid cancer after suffering a neck injury playing football.

Michael McWilliams holding up a badge, showing the crest of the Harvey McWilliams Foundation

Dad's charity providing football kit in son's memory

The foundation offers football kits, boots, and equipment to help young people from poorer households.

Ahmed Alid

Murder-accused's 'raid' ended by hand injury

Ahmed Alid tells police he would have stabbed more than two people if he had not hurt his hand.

A man looks at the camera

Murder-accused's 'raid' ended by hand injury

Ahmed Alid tells police he would have stabbed more than two people if he had not hurt his hand.

Members of the theatre group on stage

'I wouldn't speak, now I can't shut up'

A theatre group for adults with learning disabilities is helping to build confidence and self-esteem.

Whorlton Bridge has been closed for repairs since 2019 leaving residents facing diversions.

Man resorts to rowing boat as bridge is closed

Whorlton Bridge has been closed for repairs since 2019 leaving residents facing diversions.

Tommy Norton

The fitness instructor with 50 years under his belt

Tommy Norton, 69, says he loves running the classes and has no plans to stop.

Kalani Smith

US TikTok star travels the world for a parmo

A TikTok food reviewer travels from Nashville, Tennessee, to rate a Teesside parmesan.

Landfill site fire prompts warning to shut windows

Smoke seen billowing from landfill site fire

Footage shows fire crews at the scene of the blaze, which began on Tuesday morning.

Whorlton Hall: Panorama Hidden camera footage shows hospital ill treatment

Footage shows patients ill-treated at hospital

Judge Chris Smith said Whorlton Hall was an “unpredictable and inherently frightening place to live”.

Tattoo artist Ash Burnett of Before Dawn Collective in Darlington

Tattoo artist offering sessions for self-harm scars

Ash Burnett experienced a newfound confidence in herself after some scars were covered with tattoos.

Shildon Alive charity's head chef, Tracey Chappell

'You live in hope that it will get better'

Shildon Alive, a charity which ensures people can put meals on the table, is busier than ever.

Kate O’Sullivan, BBC Sports Unsung Hero winner for the North East and Cumbria

Unsung Hero winner inspires others through rowing

Kate O’Sullivan encourages others to take to the water and change their lives through the sport.

Lucie Maguire was 19 when she was run over by a tractor, which led to her leg being amputated.

Woman who lost leg in crash to help other victims

Lucie Maguire was 19 when she was run over by a tractor, which led to her leg being amputated.