Clacton voters go to the polls in Westminster by-election

Voters will take to the ballot box to elect the next MP for Clacton when polls open from 07:00 BST on Thursday.

An electorate of 79,785 registered voters have the chance to vote for one of 34 candidates standing in the Essex resort – the most ever to stand in a British election.

Fifty-one polling stations will open, covering Clacton and the surrounding towns of Jaywick, Frinton and Walton-on-the-Naze. The constituency also has rural villages including St Osyth, Weeley and Great Bentley.

Voters will need to show a form of acceptable ID – such as a driver’s licence or passport – to be able to cast their ballot.

They will receive the longest ballot paper in British electoral history at 90cm – about 3ft long – to choose their candidate and cast their vote.

There are 12 political parties and 20 independents standing.

Polling stations will remain open to anyone registered to vote until 22:00, with the count taking place overnight.