AKIPRESS.COM - Millions of people have begun casting their votes in the United Kingdom general election.

Polls opened at 07:00 BST at around 50,000 polling stations across the UK, which will remain open until 22:00.

A total of 650 Westminster MPs will be elected, with about 50 million people registered to vote.

As well as the general election, there are more than 9,000 council seats being contested across 279 English local authorities.

Mayors will also be elected in Bedford, Copeland, Leicester, Mansfield, Middlesbrough and Torbay.

In Bedfordshire, a referendum on a council tax increase is taking place, reports BBC.

The local votes taking place mean that nearly every voter in England - excluding London where there are no local elections - will be given at least two ballot papers when they enter polling stations.

For the first time, people have been able to register to vote online. Most polling stations are in schools, community centres and parish halls, but pubs, a launderette and a school bus will also be used.

The final results expected on Friday afternoon.