Long queues reported at polling stations as voters turn out for 'election of a lifetime'

Voters describe waits of more than half an hour across England

Voters have reported long queues outside polling stations, with some members of the public walking away without casting their ballots.

As voting got underway for one of the most important elections in a generation, waits of more than half an hour were reported at schools, community centres and churches across England, with queueing appearing widespread in places such as London, Manchester and Cambridge.

Images of voters forming long lines in the cold weather prompted speculation about whether there had been a spike in turnout compared to the 2017 general election.

However official figures on how many people voted will not be available until after the polls close at 10pm on Thursday night.

Chris Schofield said more than 70 voters were waiting in Bermondsey, saying some of gave up and left during his 20-minute wait, "presumably to go to work".

Voters queue up in Balham, London, to cast their ballots (PA)

"It's about 20 times busier than it was in 2017, and for the locals and Euro elections," the 27-year-old consultant said.

"Atmosphere is very London: orderly queueing and no-one is talking to each other!"

Asked why he thought there were so many queuing, Mr Schofield said: "I think it's the election of a lifetime for many of us."

Alixe Bovey reported queueing for 35 minutes in Streatham, in south London, early on Thursday morning.

"In 20 years of voting in Streatham Hill, always at about this time of day, I have never encountered a queue of more than six or seven people," she tweeted.

Waits were also reported in Cambridge, where one voter, John Walsh, tweeted it was the "first time ever" that he had to queue to vote.

Early-morning voters in Bermondsey, south-east London, were faced with deep flooding after a water main burst near the polling station.

Graham Kings said: "I could have gone home and put wellington boots on and waded across the flooded road to try to get in, but had to go to work and so will vote this evening."

Party leaders were out in force on Thursday morning, with Boris Johnson choosing to vote near Downing Street, rather than in his Uxbridge and South Ruislip constituency.

He arrived at Central Methodist Hall in Westminster at around 8.15am to cast his vote, accompanied by his dog Dilyn.

Meanwhile Jeremy Corbyn was greeted by supporters as he arrived to cast his vote in Islington - as well as a protester dressed as Sesame Street character Elmo.

The turnout for the 2017 election was 68.8 per cent, the fourth successive election where the number of voters casting their ballot has increased.

The polls are open until 10pm on Thursday night, so voters caught up in queues still have time to return to their polling stations.

The Electoral Commission advises polling stations "can get very busy, particularly towards the end of the day", but voters in a queue before 10pm will be entitled to cast their ballot.