TENS of thousands of people across Kent are still going to the polling stations tonight aware that their vote could still have a major influence on the result of the general election.

Some of the country's most marginal seats are situated in the county.

Those currently held by Labour are Thanet South, Bexleyheath and Crayford, Gillingham, Dartford, Sittingbourne and Sheppey, and Medway. But a lot of attention will be on Tory leader Michael Howard's Folkestone and Hythe constituency which has been targeted by the Lib Dems.

Mr Howard cast his vote at Lympne, near Hythe, Tony Blair in his Sedgefield constituency and Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy voted in Fort William.

Election organisers hope postal voting across the country will help turn-out, although there have been concerns about the security of the system against fraud.

The polls opened at 7am and will close at 10pm. The first results in the county are expected shortly after midnight. County council elections are also being held today.