Polls open for local elections

Polling stations have opened across the country as millions of people are set to cast a vote.

Local council and mayoral elections are taking place in England, while voters in Scotland and Wales will elect representatives to their national parliaments.

In England, about 5,000 seats across 136 local councils are up for election. There are also mayoral contests in Watford, Croydon, Hackney, Lewisham, Newham and Tower Hamlets.

In Scotland, all 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament are up for re-election, this includes 73 constituency MSPs and 56 regional MSPs.

In Wales, the number of Members of the Senedd (MSs) will be expanded from the 60 to 96 representatives from 16 newly devised constituencies. All 96 seats will be elected. No party has ever won a majority in the Welsh Parliament.

Voters in England now need ID to vote. This is not required for the Scottish or Welsh Elections.

In a new trial to boost accessibility and participation, people in four parts of England will be able to vote in different places or ahead of polling day

Voters in Milton Keynes will be able to vote in the centre:mk shopping centre. Voters in Cambridge, North Hertfordshire and Tunbridge Wells have been able to vote in a variety of places ahead of 7 May.

The first English results are expected in the early hours of Friday, with all results expected by Saturday evening.