Dogs gather for traditional polling station photo

Anna Skipwith says the "pack" photo has become a "local tradition"

As people head to polling stations up and down the country for Thursday's general election, one community's dogs were gathered outside a parish hall earlier as their owners arrived to vote - something that has become a "local tradition".

Anna Skipwith, from Dulwich Village, south London, shared her fifth "dogs at polling stations" picture on X, formerly Twitter, marking the moment members of her community came out to vote.

"It's become a bit of a local tradition," she said. "Most of the dogs know each other, although there were a couple of new puppies this morning who haven't done it before."

She has also taken pictures of the dogs outside the parish hall at general and local elections in 2019, 2021, 2022 and on 2 May this year.

A smaller group, with Ms Skipwith's dog Tilly in the centre, in May 2024

Posed and eyeing up treats - the dogs in 2022

She said that her 11-year-old working Cocker Spaniel Tilly had been in every picture, alongside about five other dogs.

While some of "the pack" changes with each vote, Ms Skipwith said all of the dogs were well-behaved and sat for the picture with their owners nearby.

The polling station pups in 2021

The first of the group photos in 2019

"The dogs seem to know the drill," she said.

"I hope it shows a nice positive side of social media."

And after they had finished posing, most were off to the park to finish their walks, she added.