A high turnout has been recorded at polling stations across Waveney as district residents vote on whether the UK should remain in the European Union or leave.

Lowestoft Journal: EU polling stations across the Waveney Valley. The Blue Boar Pub, Oulton. PHOTO: Nick ButcherEU polling stations across the Waveney Valley. The Blue Boar Pub, Oulton. PHOTO: Nick Butcher (Image: (C)archant2016)

Polling stations opened at 7am this morning and by midday, almost a third of the electorate in the Blundeston ward had cast their vote.

A Waveney District Council spokesman said polling stations across the district had been busy all day.

The spokesman added:'Polling stations are recording much higher than usual numbers.'

The Blue Boar in Oulton is one of a number of pubs acting as polling stations today.

Manager Claire Goode said there had been a steady number of voters throughout the day and she expected it would get even busier this evening when people finished work.

Simon Tobin, Vote Leave coordinator for Waveney, said half of the electorate in the St Margaret's ward had voted by 4.30pm today.

He said people felt very passionate about their choice, whether they were voting to remain or leave the EU.

He added: 'I hope that whoever wins, the result is decisive. If it is too close it won't be good news, there is so much contention.'

Mark Bee, agent for the Stronger In campaign in Waveney, said the polling stations his colleagues had been monitoring had been busy throughout the day.

He added that the turnout was heading towards levels seen during general elections and postal votes had yet to be counted.

Polling stations will remain open until 10pm.

If you are in the queue by 10pm, you are guaranteed a vote, but the advice is to not leave it to the last minute as a high turnout is expected and you could be stuck in a queue for a while.

Have you got a polling day story? Email andrew.papworth@archant.co.uk