Even the rain showers couldn't stop some who were determined to have their say at the ballot box.

Polling stations opened at 7am sharp – but 364 days late. Yesterday’s election for Swindon Borough Council, the Wiltshire and Swindon Police and Crime Commissioner and parish councils should have been held on May 7 last year but were put back 12 months at the start of the coronavirus crisis.

Authorities had been urging people to vote by post but even with the possibility of longer waits many people preferred to go in person.

At polling stations in community centres, church halls and schools they found an absence of the party tellers – normally a fixture outside, asking voters for their number and crossing them off their list.

They also found helpers at the door, hand sanitiser and, in several stations, one-way queuing systems.

There was a steady trickle of voters at the Railway Village's Central Community Centre.

One woman, who was waiting for someone else, said: “I voted at 7am this morning. I was thinking that I might not – I wasn’t that bothered a couple of days ago, but then I thought this morning I had to get up and vote.”

Equally keen was William Smith, 70.

He said: “I only live a street or so away, so it seemed just as easy to come here as get a postal vote.

“It was very good inside, all quite organised and it didn’t seem strange at all. I hope it’s a sign that we’re getting back to normal after the last year.”

Greg Louzado agreed, saying: “Voting is necessary to get in fresh blood and new talent into the council. It’s good to be able to make your voice heard.”

Rob Tuck and Eryn Batstone voted at Robert Le Kyng Primary School.

Mr Tuck, 25, said: “I always vote, every time. I’m just really invested in politics. And local elections are the most important – grassroots politics is the most important part of it.”

Miss Batstone, 24, said: “I feel exactly the same way. Having your say at the local level means you can have influence over the politics in your community and that’s the best way of influencing the larger politics, by doing it in the community.”

Not everyone, however, seemed to have got the memo.

Two men in the town centre, who would only give their names as Dave and Rob, were not going to vote. Dave said he wasn’t registered.

He said: “I’ve never done anything about it, I don’t know what you’re meant to do. I don’t really pay much attention, to be honest with you. “

Rob added: “Does it ever make any difference?”

Dora Ratajczak believes it does. Having walked to Robert Le Kyng school and voted she said: “If you don’t vote how will the council know what you want them to sort out. They’ve got lots of things they have to do – but you have to vote to tell them what.”

At Liden Community Centre parents and grandparents took the opportunity to vote while picking up children at the end of the school day.

One young mum had to explain to her daughter and her friends they weren’t able to vote until they were adults and that while she had voted, you didn’t have to.

Peter Wells would have been pleased to hear the young mum had cast her vote.

He said: “I have always voted in every election I’ve been allowed – even if I wasn’t that keen on any of the candidates – I think it’s something you do.

"I wouldn’t say it’s a duty, but it’s a privilege – lots of people don’t have that privilege and I think it’s one we should use.

"I brought up my three sons to be voters and all of us in the family do it – I think it’s something you should do.”

At the St Paul’s Centre in Covingham James Damore saw the election as a symbol of hope.

He said: “The election was just cancelled last year and that seemed a really big thing – that was a sign the virus wasn’t going to be just a six-week thing.

"But it’s back on today, and we’re able to come out and vote and it’s a symptom of recovery, that things are getting back to normal.”