Polls opened at 0730 (0530 GMT)and after just over four hours about 25% of the registered voters have cast their ballots.

Peak voting times are likely to be after lunch, when mothers will be collecting children from school, and after work, between 1800 and 1900.

Polling station officials expect turnout of 65% or 75% by the time voting finishes at 2100 (1900 GMT). Most predictions of turnout nationwide have been considerably lower.