Early signs of strong election turnout as voters head out to vote

Downham Market Town Hall, where residents have been voting this morning. Photo: Sarah Hussain (Image: Archant)

At the polling station in the Norfolk Hospice, in Hillington, an official said it was dark when they were opening and added that they had only seen a handful of voters since opening at 7am, however more started to appear around 9am.

One of the first through the door Carol and Andrew Page said they had decided to vote tactically for Labour, Mrs Page is a Liberal Democrat, while Mr Page usually supports the Green Party, however both said they wanted to stop the Conservative Party.

Mrs Page said that Mr Johnson's plans to push through a Brexit deal would "benefit only the richest people" and added she was scared about "Russian involvement" in the Conservative Party.

Lee Jarvis, an ex-military man, said he was voting for the Conservative Party, adding: "I don't trust Labour, particularly Jeremy Corbyn and Diane Abbott to run the country, they would leave use with no defence and no economy."

Jo Rust, Labour candidate for North West Norfolk at the December 2019 elections Picture: Chris Bishop (Image: Archant)

He added that he wished there were more parties that supported leaving the EU.

Hunstanton Town Hall appeared busier than previous years, with many voters queuing up despite chilly weather.

At Downham Market Town Hall only a handful of voters were seen this morning.

One of the first to vote in Downham, Cecile Veater, 65, said: "I voted Labour, Downham Market is not a Labour area, so I'm not very hopeful Labour will win this area. Corbyn cares about the people and I don't want to see the NHS sold. He listens to the people. I'm one of the ladies who was should have got her pension at 60, so it would be nice if Corbyn could do that."

Rob Colwell, Liberal Democrat candidate for North West Norfolk at the December 2019 elections Picture: Chris Bishop (Image: Archant)

Not all voters in Downham Market were as keen on Mr Corbyn however, one couple Mr and Mrs Jelliman, both aged 81, said they were voting Tory for the first time.

Mr Jelliman said: "Over the years we have always voted Labour, my parents and grandparents have voted Labour. But for the first time in my life I voted for the Conservatives. We will not vote for Corbyn."-

Michael De Whalley, Green candidate for North West Norfolk at the December 2019 elections Picture: Chris Bishop (Image: Archant)

Conservative candidate James Wild. Picture: Ally McGilvray (Image: Archant)