Coronavirus fears - election for North Yorkshire police, fire and crime commissioner 'should be delayed'

The Electoral Commission has written to the government's constitution minister - MP Chloe Smith - to recommend all local elections be postponed as the UK braces itself for the pandemic to grow.

North Yorkshire is set to hold its police, fire and crime commissioner election on May 7 - but the commission says there are "growing risks to the delivery of the polls" with the number of Covid-19 virus infections rising.

Coronavirus latest - major event in Harrogate will go ahead today

Bob Posner, the commission's chief executive, called for votes to be pushed back until autumn.

He wrote: "The risks to delivery that have been identified are such that we cannot be confident that voters will be able to participate in the polls safely and confidently, nor that campaigners and parties will be able to put their case to the electorate.

"We therefore call on the government to take steps to provide early clarity to all those with an interest in the electoral process. And on the available information and position we recommend the government now delay the May 7 polls until the autumn."

He also said it is "vital that voters are able to hear the positions of candidates, parties and campaigners before they cast their vote."

This is the latest coronavirus advice for Harrogate residents

Ms Smith, in response to a written parliamentary question, said on Thursday: "Our approach has been, and will continue to be, guided by the evidence and latest advice from medical experts, including the chief medical officer.

"We are currently working to facilitate the local, mayoral, and police and crime commissioner elections on May 7 going ahead as planned."

Tributes after death of popular pub landlord renowned in Harrogate district for many years

North Yorkshire's first case of the coronavirus was confirmed yesterday, March 12.

So far, 10 people in the UK have died after testing positive for the virus, with 596 cases confirmed at the time of writing.

It has not yet been confirmed if the election will go ahead.

By Jacob Webster, Local Democracy Reporter