Oasis park gig could delay votes

The first of three concerts takes place on European election polling day

A music concert in north Manchester, featuring the band Oasis, could delay people voting in next month's European ballot, election officials have warned.

The Manchester band plays the first of three huge open-air concerts in Heaton Park on 4 June, which is polling day.

Two main roads bordering the park, Bury Old Road and Sheepfoot Lane, will be closed at 2130 BST - half an hour before polling stations close.

People living in the area are being urged to apply for a postal vote.

Polling stations will be open between 0700 BST and 2200 BST as normal on 4 June, Bury Council said.

Postal ballot

But election officers fear that residents who leave it late to vote might miss out if they find their route blocked.

The cut-off point for applying for a postal vote is 1700 BST on 19 May.

"Elections officers in Bury say that one way to avoid any potential problems would be to use a postal vote," a Bury council spokesperson said.

"Alternatively, some people might choose to go the polls a bit earlier."

Oasis, fronted by Burnage-raised brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher, are returning to Manchester as part of their Dig Out Your Soul world tour.

The final two sell-out concerts, with support from The Enemy and Kasabian, take place on 6 and 7 July.