The ballot boxes have arrived and the count has begun for the constituency of Faversham and Mid Kent.

Tellers are working through the night at Maidstone Leisure Centre with the result expected to come in at 6am.

The candidates vying for a place in the House of Commons are: Michael Desmond (Labour), Gary Butler (English Democrats), Hairy Knorm Davidson (Official Monster Raving Loony Party), Peter Edwards-Daem (Ukip), Dave Naghi (Lib Dem), Tim Valentine (Green Party) and Helen Whately (Conservative).

So far dapperly dressed Mr Davidson – who is fondly sipping a pint of ale – has been joined by his Lib Dem rival Dave Naghi at the count.

Boxley was the first ward to return its ballot box at 10.10pm, with a flurry of activity witnessed up until just before 11pm when the last boxes trickled in.

The constituency has been in the hands of Sir Hugh Robertson for the past five years, but the former Tory minister has decided to retire from politics.

Since 2005 the turn-out has been climbing, with the figure from five years ago just above the national average.

We'll be keeping you updated with all the major developments on this website and on our @KM_Newsroom Twitter feed using #KentDecides.