'Steady' stream of voters head to polls in Dorset for General Election

SOME polling stations in Dorset attracted a steady stream of people as residents turned out to cast their vote in the General Election.

Polling stations - which included churches, community halls, pubs and youth centres - opened at 7am today, giving voters the chance to take part in an election which may see a change of government.

An exit poll, published shortly after polls close at 10pm tonight, will provide the first indication of how the election has gone on a national level.

Opinion polls have suggested Labour is on course to secure a big majority in the House of Commons and form a new government.

A victory for Sir Keir Starmer would see Labour return to power for the first time in 14 years.

The first of the 650 seats are likely to declare their results from 11.30pm.

South and West Dorset are expected to declare between 4.30am and 5.30am.

It is the first General Election where voters need to show photographic ID before they can receive their ballot paper following a law change in 2022.

Wyke Regis Community Hall has 'not stopped' since queues of people were lined up before the polls opened.

READ: General Election voting under way after weeks of campaigning

The presiding officer at the station said: "It has not stopped and we have had quite a high turnover, it has been constant since seven.

"There were queues this morning before we opened - I have never known there to be queues."

One voter outside the hall who wished to remain anonymous said people 'should always vote' and thought that change was needed after 'fourteen years of hell'.

Jean Robinson on her way to vote at Charlestown Victory Hall in Chickerell (Image: Andy Jones)

Elsewhere, in Chickerell, Jean Robinson had yet to decide who she wanted to vote for as she walked to the polling station at Charlestown Victory Hall.

However, she was keen to vote for the future of young people, more so than her own future.

READ: General Election night: Hour-by-hour guide

She said: "I don't know where I will put my cross, but I want to do something for the younger generation - they are the important ones."

Paul and Shirley Honour with their dog Marley outside Willowbed hall in Chickerell (Image: Andy Jones)

Just down the road at Willowbed Hall Paul and Shirley Honour were casting their votes with their dog Marley.

The couple explained they were voting to 'try and sort the country out' and also for the future of their grandchildren.

Paul said: "Something has to change. The government have been stuttering from crisis to crisis such as Brexit and Ukraine - it is time for a change.

"A lot of people have been saying the same thing - it's frightening really."

READ: After the election: What happens if there is a change of government?

The Corn Exchange in Dorchester (Image: Trevor Bevins)

Brownsword Hall in Poundbury (Image: Trevor Bevins)

Dorchester's Corn Exchange also saw a steady flow of people turning out to vote as did Poundbury's Brownsword Hall.

Meanwhile in Weymouth town centre, at the Park Community Centre, an election official said they were 'expecting a large turnout' and had already seen 250 people vote by 10.30am.

One woman outside the polling station, who wished to remain anonymous, spoke of the importance of women voting.

She said: "It wasn't that long ago that we were fighting for the right to vote.

"I hope people will educate themselves about policies that impact the majority not just the few."

David Mackenzie and his wife voting in Weymouth (Image: Katie Heyes)

David Mackenzie also stressed the importance of people exercising their democratic right to vote.

He said: "It's so important to vote -  everyone should come down."

A nearby resident of the community centre added: "No matter what policies you agree with or where you stand it's important to have your voice heard."

Polling station at Bridport Youth and Community Centre  (Image: Supplied)

Over in Bridport, the Bridport Youth Community Centre was 'very quiet' according to one voter around 9am.

Polling stations were expecting more voters to turn out on their way home from work later on Thursday.

Martinstown village hall (Image: Trevor Bevins)

To follow live updates throughout the day follow our live blog here.

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