New Hampshire Votes As 2016 Race Turns Ugly

Amid heavy voter turnout, the US state of New Hampshire is picking candidates for November's presidential election, as an already bitter race turns increasingly ugly.

In Tuesday's primary, Republican Donald Trump is poised to regain momentum, while Democrat Hillary Clinton stares at a defeat, if opinions polls are to be believed.

But the Granite State's high numbers of independent and undecided voters have injected unpredictability into the contest.

The vote may further thin out a Republican field that has pitted outsider Mr Trump and arch-conservative Texas Senator Ted Cruz against establishment candidates currently led by Florida Senator Marco Rubio .

:: The Granite State Often Delivers A Surprise

A handful of voters in Dixville Notch, one of three small communities to vote at the turn of midnight, kicked off the primary.

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders , who is challenging Mrs Clinton to be the Democratic party's White House candidate, took four votes. Mrs Clinton received none.

Mr Trump received two, while Republican Ohio Governor John Kasich received three.

But with most voting stations open until 7pm local time (midnight UK time), everything remains to play for.

:: 'Trump Country' Republicans Brave An Ill Wind

Mr Trump, who last week finished second behind Mr Cruz in Iowa's first-in-the-nation caucuses, has a soaring lead in New Hampshire opinion polls

In an interview with MSNBC, he called Mrs Clinton "evil", Mr Rubio "confused" and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush a "loser".

In a Monday night rally, the former reality TV star repeated the insult of a woman in the crowd, calling Mr Cruz "a p***y".

Mr Cruz said "crude and profane" Mr Trump was just upset about losing Iowa.

Earlier in the day, Mr Bush unleashed one of his fiercest attacks yet on the New York real estate billionaire.

"You aren't just a loser, you're a liar and a whiner," Mr Bush said on Twitter.

Former New Hampshire Governor John Sununu, who served in the White House administration of Mr Bush's father, told Sky News Mr Trump was a "lifelong loser".

Mr Bush has been trying to break out from a ring of establishment candidates including Mr Rubio, Mr Kasich and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.

Mr Rubio - after he was mauled in a TV debate on Saturday for regurgitating scripted lines - is hoping to build on his strong third-place finish in Iowa.

His alleged penchant for canned talking points has seen #RobotRubio trending on Twitter.

On the Democratic front, the Clinton campaign has been launching all-out attacks on her insurgent challenger, Senator Sanders.

The self-described democratic socialist has a double-digit lead on Mrs Clinton in opinion polls in the northeastern state.

Mrs Clinton won Iowa by a hair's breadth.

:: Road To The Nomination: US Primary Timetable