Voters head to the polls today in council elections which will determine who will take charge of key local services for the next four years.

The election will be the first major test of public opinion since the general election in 2017 and are taking place in the shadow of the unresolved issue of Brexit.

More than 500 wards are up for grabs across every district and borough council and Medway Council.

Kent County Council is not having an election.

Most councils are holding “all out” elections in which every ward is being contested. However, in Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells, only a third of wards are being fought.

Polling stations open from 7am to 10pm.

Counting for most councils takes place on Friday. Two councils - Medway and Dartford - are counting overnight.

KentOnline will be providing a comprehensive results service with reporters at every count.

We will have all the reaction and analysis with our political editor Paul Francis in a special live blog.

And you can also listen to kmfm for breaking election news and follow us on Twitter @Kent_Online and @PaulOnPolitics

Head to our politics page for expert analysis and all the latest news from your politicians and councils.

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