VOTERS have another important choice on June 10, the European Parliamentary elections.

Nine MEPs will be chosen to represent the North West region of England in what is the only one of the three European institutions to be directly elected.

Residents vote for a party rather than an individual, unless they are standing as an independent, with seats allocated according to how many votes each party receives.

There are 11 parties and one Independent standing. They are: British National Party; Conservatives; English Democrats; Green; Liberal Democrats; Liberal Party; Prolife; Respect (Unity Coalition); Countryside Party; Labour; UK Independence Party; and Ronald Neal, an Independent.

Among the candidates are Radcliffe-based Labour MEP Gary Titley, Tory MEP David Sumberg (formerly MP for Bury South), and sitting Lib Dem MEP Chris Davies. The BNP's national chairman Nick Griffin is also standing.

Voting will be by post.