It’s been nearly ten years since the last census, so residents of West Lancashire will soon be able to take part in the once-in-a-decade survey.

Every ten years since 1801 the nation has set aside one day for the census - a count of all people and households, with the latest held on Sunday 27 March 2011.

Every effort is made to include everyone, and that is why the census is so important. It is the only survey which provides a detailed picture of the entire population, and is unique because it covers everyone at the same time and asks the same core questions everywhere, which makes it easy to compare different parts of the country.

The information the census provides allows central and local government, health authorities and many other organisations to target their resources more effectively and to plan housing, education, health and transport services for years to come.

Dave Yorke, a local Office for National Statistics Census Engagement Manager, says households across the North West will soon be asked to take part in census 2021.

“A successful census will ensure everyone from local government to charities can put services and funding in the places where they are most needed,” added Iain Bell, deputy national statistician at the Office for National Statistics.

“This could mean things like doctors’ surgeries, schools and new transport routes. That’s why it is so important everyone takes part and we have made it easier for people to do so online on any device, with help and paper questionnaires for those that need them.”

Census day will be on March 21, but households across the country will receive letters with online codes allowing them to take part from early March.

The census will include questions about your sex, age, work, health, education, household size and ethnicity. And, for the first time, there will be a question asking people whether they have served in the armed forces, as well as voluntary questions for those aged 16 and over on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Results will be available within 12 months, although personal records will be locked away for 100 years, kept safe for future generations.

For more information, visit census.gov.uk or follow Census2021 on Twitter and Facebook