Voters head for the polls today in crucial local council and European elections.

In the European poll, voters in Kent and Medway will be deciding who should represent the south east region - the largest in the UK - with 10 seats up for grabs.

Turnout is expected to be higher than the 37% in 2009 when the elections for the European Parliament were last held.

Polling stations across Kent are to open from 7am until 10pm.

The results of the European poll will be declared on Sunday evening.

In the UK, 73 MEPs will be elected out of 751 in the European Parliament.

Two Kent councils also have elections today. Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells have one third of their seats up for grabs. These results will be declared on Friday.

Despite police patrols being stepped up at some of Britain's polling stations, Kent's force said it is not deploying any extra officers in the county.

A spokesman said: "Contact is being maintained with returning officers and district commanders will have patrols on hand to send to the stations if the need arises."

We will have comprehensive coverage of all the results from the European vote on Sunday. Follow our political editor Paul Francis on Twitter @PaulOnPolitics.