Counting under way across England

Counting is under way after voters cast their ballots in the snap general election called by Theresa May.

Polls closed at 22:00 BST and winners in each constituency will begin to be declared in the early hours of Friday.

There are more than 2,700 candidates vying for 533 seats in England, out of the UK’s total of 650.

An exit poll conducted for the BBC, ITV and Sky suggested the Conservatives could be set to be the largest party but could be short of a majority.

In the 2015 General Election, there were 3,209 candidates across all the English constituencies, 493 more than have stood this time.

Newcastle Central was first to announce a result ahead of Sunderland – the past winners, as first declarers.

These people found something to smile about when they went to the polls.

First time voters and their proud parents shared the coming of age moment on Twitter.

There was a bit of a to-do between members of the media who were waiting to capture images of Lib Dem leader Tim Farron exiting a polling station in Cumbria.

Some voters took advantage of the polling station’s other facilities.

Why not mark the occasion with a picture? These people did.

Many voters exercised their dogs at the same time as their democracy.

Private houses, pubs and even a laundrette were all called into service to act as polling stations.

As a result, people went to their polling station amid heightened security.

Theresa May, Jeremy Corbyn, Caroline Lucas, Tim Farron and Paul Nuttall all voted.