Voters across Waveney have been visiting polling stations to cast their vote in the general election.

Eastern Daily Press: Voter placing a ballot paper in the ballot box at a polling station. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Rui Vieira/PA WireVoter placing a ballot paper in the ballot box at a polling station. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Rui Vieira/PA Wire

Ballots opened at 7am across the country, and in Lowestoft there was a rather unusual site as Robert Cassidy took his pet cat Jazz along for the ride at Stella Maris Hall.

A spokesman for Waveney District Council said there has been a steady stream of voters through the morning.

There are 65 polling stations throughout the district where voters can make their choice.

Polling will cease at 10pm with the council aiming to begin verification of the ballot 30 minutes later.

The council estimate that counting will be get under way by 2am on Friday with the results being declared at 5.30am.

Waveney is the most marginal seat in Suffolk. Two years ago Peter Aldous, who won it for the Conservatives in 2010, increased his majority to 2,408.

The six candidates standing for election in the Waveney constituency are Peter Aldous (Conservative), Sonia Barker (Labour), Jacky Howe (Liberal Democrat), Elfrede Brambley-Crawshaw (Green), Bert Poole (UKIP) and Allyson Barron (Independent)

History of the seat

The Waveney seat was officially formed in 1983 – but its boundaries are similar to the former Lowestoft seat. There have been changes with the loss of areas including Southwold and Halesworth to Suffolk Coastal over recent years.

Historically the Conservative party have dominated the district.

1945-1959: Edward Evans (Labour)

1959-1987: James Prior (Conservative)

1987-1997: David Porter (Conservative)

1997-2010: Bob Blizzard (Labour)

2010- : Peter Aldous (Conservative)