Aoife Walsh
Live editor

We've had Gracie the dog, Ace the horse and Neptune the snake – but we're still on the lookout for more pictures of pets at polling stations.

If you've been following our page throughout the day, you'll have seen our earlier call out for different animals, especially an iguana. We've not yet received one, but if you're out there, voter-with-an-Iguana, please do get in touch.

We've also heard whisperings in the newsroom of cats appearing at some polling stations – we'll bring you more as we get it.

Here's a reminder of how you can get in touch:

• Email: yourpics@bbc.co.uk
• WhatsApp: +44 7756 165803
• Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay, external
• Or you can use this form here

Please read our terms & conditions and privacy policy

As we mentioned earlier, we're limited in what we can report until the polls close at 22:00, so we've been bringing you plenty pictures of dogs (and some horses and snakes) at polling stations in the meantime.

Here's some more to brighten your afternoon:

Image source, Alex Murray

Image source, Grainne Jordan

Image source, Catherine Holton

The BBC's election night coverage dates back to the 1950s - so, not surprisingly, a few things have changed in our coverage over the years.

But rest assured, our famous swingometer - designed to explain the unfolding results visually - will feature in tonight's coverage.

Image source, Holly Heathcote

Millions of people are casting their votes at polling stations across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland today. If you're just joining us, fear not – you've not missed much, but here's a look at what you need to know:

• As a reminder, the BBC isn't allowed to report on any details of campaigning or election issues until the polls close at 22:00
• Because of this, our reporting on polling day is usually restricted to uncontroversial factual accounts
• That’s why you've been seeing so many images of politicians casting their votes, dogs and a snake at polling stations – of which we've got plenty more to come (you're welcome)
• We've also had a horse show up outside one polling station

• All of the main political party leaders have now cast their votes, and you can see images of them at the polling stations by scrolling back through this page

• Don’t forget, this is the first general election where you will need to present photo ID to vote in person. Anyone without the correct ID will be turned away, so check you’ve got yours before you leave home
• Not sure what counts as valid ID? We've compiled a list of the voter ID rules and the documents you can use

Image source, EPA

You can only vote in your local polling station - and details of the address will be on your polling card.

You can also find the address of your local polling station online via the Electoral Commission's , externalwebsite using your postcode.

Don't forget polling stations will close at 22:00 today, and you will need to show some photo ID before voting.

Read more: What are polling station opening times and where do I vote in the UK election?

Dogs haven't been the only voting companions to show up at the polling stations today.

Ace, a Clydesdale, the Scottish version of a shire, was the mane attraction at Sandbach Rugby Club in Cheshire while his owner Abbi Willetts placed her vote.

Paul Rogers
Local democracy reporter

Image source, Google

It's not just schools, churches and community centres being transformed into polling stations today – some unique historic buildings are also being repurposed.

This toll house in Shropshire is one of them.

Based within the World Heritage site of Ironbridge Gorge, the Ironbridge Toll House was used to charge those who wished to cross the bridge. It was built in 1779.

These days, however, the toll house is normally used as an exhibition centre where visitors can find out more about the bridge.

But, since polls opened this morning, local voters have been using the building to put a cross in their box of choice.

• Read more here

It's become something of a recent election tradition, seeing our four-legged friends waiting at polling stations across the UK while their owners cast their votes.

So, here's some more from today:

Kate Whannel
Political reporter

Image source, Sara Chane

We've become accustomed to seeing dogs at polling stations on election day over the last few years.

Poultry, less so.

Council workers Sara Chane and Lindsey Carroll were at the polling station in Skelmersdale, Lancashire in May 2021 for the local elections when a chicken wandered in.

With no accompanying human - and no valid voter ID - Sara and Lindsey began trying to track down its owners while continuing to run the polling station.

"Come in, don't mind the chicken, we told voters," says Lindsey.

Minutes later, a five-year-old boy turned up to looking for his pet, named Matilda.

But it's not just chickens which have been misplaced on election day.

In Wakefield, one woman accidentally dropped her £40,000 engagement ring into the ballot box, along with her ballot paper. Once sealed, the ballot box cannot be reopened until election count.

It meant the unfortunate bride-to-be had to turn up at the count hours later and wait for the box to be opened.

You can read more strange polling day stories here.

James Gallagher
Health and science correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Hello there election enthusiasts!

I love the idea of a full night of election drama - sitting up in front of the television, the BBC News live page updating on my laptop, slowly converting a mountain of snacks into a wasteland of empty wrappers and mainlining unseemly quantities of tea.

But we’re fighting biology here, fellow election-night crew.

So I’ve been chatting to sleep experts to come up with the definitive guide to getting through the night and not becoming a sleep-deprived monster the next day.

Here's the TLDR (too long, didn't read) version:

• embrace the multi-nap strategy - first one at 21:00 tonight, in time for the 22:00 exit poll, then at 02:00, 06:00 and 14:00 on Friday
• but limit naps to between 20-30 minutes and "pre-load" with a caffeine hit just before you sleep

• keep hydrated with water but avoid sugar-packed energy drinks and alcohol
• keep all the lights on overnight
• snack on protein drinks or unsalted nuts (sorry, no chocolate)

Read more about how to pull off an election all-nighter.

James Gregory
Live reporter

Image source, PA Media

Millions of people have been heading out to cast their votes already today, and there's still just under nine hours to go until the polls close.

Here's a quick guide on what you need to know if you're heading out to vote shortly.

Don't forget photo ID For people in England, Scotland and Wales this is the first general election where you need to show photo ID to vote. Valid forms of ID include a passport or driving licence - and there are more listed here, external

You don't need your polling card... But it may speed things up if you bring it. The poll clerks at the desk have a list of the people who can vote at that polling station and can look your name up

Where do I vote? Details of where your polling station is located will be on your poll card. If you've lost it, you can find out where your local polling station is by entering your post code on the Electoral Commission website, external

What's on the ballot paper? All of the candidates standing in your constituency will be listed alongside a box. Simply put a cross in a box next to the candidate you are voting for (don't worry too much if you've accidentally put a tick - as long as you've put a deliberate mark on the ballot to indicate clearly who you are voting for, your vote will be counted)

Can I bring my pet? Animals, apart from assistance dogs, are not usually allowed in polling stations, though as we've reminded you on more than a few occasions today, they can be left outside

What about photos? You can't take photos inside the polling station but can do so outside

You can read more about the polling station dos and don'ts here.

Election day will be a mix of sunshine and blustery showers, with the heaviest and most frequent rain across the north and west of the country, according to BBC Weather.

Southern and eastern parts of England will see the best of the sunnier and drier weather, but it will be windy for all and feeling cool in the north.

Temperatures will range from 11C to 18C for many, but up to 21C or 22C in southeast England.

Northern Ireland First Minister and Sinn Féin vice-president Michelle O'Neill has cast her vote at a polling station at a school in County Tyrone.

Image source, PA Media

Munaza Rafiq
Disability news producer

Image source, Paul

Paul is 45, but this is the first time he’s been able to vote in a general election. Paul is deaf and also has a complex learning disability.

He communicates using pictures, so to help Paul choose who to vote for staff at his care home hung up pictures of all the candidates next to images representing the issues they are campaigning on. For example, they used an image of a GP to represent the NHS.

Caroline Lambwe, who manages the care home in Walthamstow, run by the charity Sense, came up with the idea.

She says: “We want the people who live here to be participants in their community.” She adds she doesn’t want people with learning disabilities to be left behind.

Caroline says she feels proud when she sees residents like Paul putting their vote in the ballot box and says other people are often "amazed" to see those with learning disabilities vote.

Jennifer Clarke
BBC News

Tellers are volunteers who work for candidates.

They sometimes stand outside polling stations, and ask voters for the number on their polling card.

Their job is to check who has voted and then share this information with the candidate, so he or she can encourage people who have not yet voted to do before the polls close at 22:00 BST.

They are allowed to ask for your polling card number, but you do not have to give it to them, or say who you voted for.

Tellers are not allowed to enter polling stations, external (apart from to cast their own vote), or to obstruct voters.

They cannot ask to see a voter's ID.

They should not display any campaign material in support of or against any particular party or candidate beyond a rosette.

Read more here about what you can and cannot do in a polling station.

Image source, Reuters

Some breaking news for you here - we've just had our first non-dog pet at a polling station.

Neptune the snake was sssssspotted outside a polling station in Dorset.

Image source, Joe Berry

Image source, PA Media

While millions of people across the country are heading to the polls, tennis star Emma Raducanu says she will instead opt for a "lie-in" this morning, adding she was unaware the general election was taking place today.

Asked at a press conference yesterday if she was planning to vote before practising at Wimbledon, the former US Open Champion, who competes in the third round of singles on Friday, said: "No. I think I'll have a lie-in, then I'll come to practise.

"I didn't even know it was tomorrow, to be honest. Thanks for letting me know."

Fellow Briton Katie Boulter was also asked if she would vote before her singles match at Wimbledon, scheduled to start at 13:00 today.

"I'm going to stick to the tennis right now. I don't see myself as someone who's going to get involved in anything but tennis that day for the moment," she said.

"I'll cross that bridge when I get there."

Nathan Williams
Live page editor

Throughout the morning, we've had pictures of the leaders from the main political parties heading to the polls.

Of course, millions of you in the country - across some 40,000 polling stations - are yet to do so.

As a reminder, we're restricted about what we can report until polls close at 22:00 BST.

You'll be able to follow our live coverage right here throughout the night as results start to come in.

Image source, EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock

Image source, Reuters

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

You can scroll back through this page to see some of the other leaders going to polling stations. It's understood that Reform UK's Nigel Farage opted for a postal ballot.

We've been bringing you photos of party leaders outside polling stations this morning as they cast their votes.

We understand that Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has opted for a postal vote.

He's also been spotted out and about this morning.

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

Alliance Party leader Naomi Long cast her vote in a church in Belfast. She is pictured here with her husband, Michael Long and their dog Daisy.