Local elections 2017: Number of newspapers run full front-page Conservative advert on polling day

Wraparound calls for voters to support Theresa May and Conservative candidate in the local area

Advert published on the front of weekly titles such as the 'Mansfield Chad', 'Bury Times' and 'Stockport Express' (Twitter)

Several local newspapers featured Conservative adverts on their front pages as their readers went to vote in local elections.

The wraparound advert calls for voters to support Theresa May at the forthcoming general election on 8 June.

It appeared on the front of weekly titles such as the Mansfield Chad, Bury Times and Stockport Express.

The advert coincides with the local elections, with readers going to the polls for council and mayoral elections.

Helen Pidd, the North of England editor for The Guardian, noted the Bury Times advert was released on the day readers will vote for the first mayor of Greater Manchester.

"Bit rum, no?" she asked on Twitter.

Others replied to her tweet to say their local papers had done the same, mentioning The Darlington, Aycliffe and Sedgefield Advertiser, The Lancashire Telegraph, The Chorley Citizen and The Westmorland Gazette.

"A good day to Bury bad news," one Twitter user joked.

Jim Watson, political editor at Buzzfeed News, noted the front page advert does not mention the Conservatives.

The back page of the wrap advert encourages readers to back Ms May and vote "for [her] Conservative candidate in your local area."

The Electoral Commission tweeted to confirm campaigners can campaign on polling day, as long as it did not take place inside a polling station. There is also no ban on political advertising.

The Independent has contacted the Trinity Mirror, Johnston Press and Newsquest Media Group for comment.