Almost 110,000 people across South Kesteven can vote in next week's local elections to choose their Lincolnshire County Councillors and the county's Police & Crime Commissioner.

South Kesteven District Council, which is hosting the polls, says the message to voters is that polling stations are Covid-secure and everyone is encouraged to visit and cast their vote on Thursday 6 May.

There will be staged entry to the polling stations, with staff cleaning booths regularly. Hand sanitiser will be offered on arrival and exit, voters will be asked to wear face coverings unless exempt and social distancing will be in place. Voters are also encouraged to take their own pen or pencil to vote, although new, unused pencils will be available too.

SKDC Chief Executive Karen Bradford said: "We will have all of our 108 polling stations ready for the public on 6 May and these will be Covid-secure for voters.

"People will notice a few changes to the normal process and all we ask is that everyone follows the instructions when they come to vote – and are patient if they have to wait a few minutes due to any COVID restrictions in place, which are for everyone's safety.

"A number of our polling station locations have changed for this year and voters should check their polling card or look online to make sure they know where to cast their vote this year."

Voters can enter their postcode at https://democracyclub.org.uk/projects/election-widget to confirm their polling station location and see the list of candidates for their area.

No one needs to take their poll card to the polling station to be able to vote, and staff will not handle it, so it should be taken away again afterwards.

Almost 20,000 people in South Kesteven are registered for a postal vote and SKDC's Elections team is urging everyone to return their vote in good time: It must be with the Council by 10pm on polling day to be counted. Some postal voters may receive several packs if there is more than one election in their area; be sure to return them all.

Those unable to post their vote pack in time can take it to their polling station on polling day.

• Election timetable:

Thursday, 6 May – Polling Day voting takes place from 7am to 10pm.

Thursday, 6 May, from 10pm – Verification of votes; South Kesteven's turnout announced.

Friday, 7 May, from 9am – Lincolnshire County Council votes will be counted; results announced.

Friday, 7 May, afternoon – local by-elections and Neighbourhood Plan referendums count/results.

Saturday, 8 May – Lincolnshire Police & Crime Commissioner votes counted from 9am; result sent to Lincoln.

• Facts and figures for South Kesteven:

Polling hours are between 7am and 10pm

109,515 people are able to vote

19,377 people are registered for postal voting

108 polling stations are being used

At polling stations, 108 Presiding Officers and 200 Poll Clerks will be employed

Verification and counting of votes will take place between 6-8 May at the Meres Leisure Centre in Grantham

In addition to the LCC and PCC elections, SKDC is holding a by-election for a District Council seat at Glen Ward, a Parish Council by-election for Pointon and Sempringham Parish and a Town Council by-election for the St George's Ward in Stamford.

There are also Neighbourhood Plan Referendums for Old Somerby, The Deepings, and Ropsley & District.