The polls are open for two council seats in Folkestone today.

A by-election was called after former mayor, district and town councillor George Bunting passed away at the end of August.

Voters in the Folkestone Harvey West ward will be able to vote for who they want to represent them on both Folkestone Town Council and Shepway District Council until 10pm tonight.

A result in the ballot is expected at around midnight tonight.

There will be a contingent of young candidates with two parties nominating teenagers to stand in the town council election, with 19-year-old Green candidate Jasmine Heywood from Hythe also being put up for the district council seat.

The other youngster is 18-year-old Folkestone student Christian Bones, who is standing for the Conservatives.

Meanwhile, ward resident Helen Barker has been selected as the Tory's district candidate.

She will contest the seat - which Conservative George Bunting held until his death - with Miss Heywood, Stephen Jardine (Ukip), Hugh Robertson-Ritchie who is also looking to take the town council seat for the Liberal Democrats and Nicola Keen for Labour.

Labour candidate for the town seat Dylan Jeffrey, husband of Claire, the party's parliamentary candidate next year will be vying for the town seat alongside Mr Bones, Miss Heywood, Mr Robertson-Ritchie and Mr Jardine.

Polls open at 7am and close at 10pm with stations at Holy Trinity Church Hall in Sandgate Road and the School of English Studies in Grimston Road.

A full result will be posted on www.kentonline.co.uk/folkestone when we have it.