Clacton voters go to the polls in Westminster by-election

The polls have opened in Clacton-on-Sea as a record number of candidates vie to become the town's next MP.

An electorate of 79,785 registered voters have the chance to vote for one of 34 candidates standing in the Essex resort - the most ever to stand in a British election.

Fifty-one polling stations have opened, covering Clacton and the surrounding towns of Jaywick, Frinton and Walton-on-the-Naze. The constituency also has rural villages including St Osyth, Weeley and Great Bentley.

Voters will need to show a form of acceptable ID - such as a driving licence or passport - to be able to cast their ballot.

They will receive the longest ballot paper in British electoral history at 90cm - about 3ft long - to choose their candidate and cast their vote.

There are 12 political parties and 20 independents standing.

Polling stations will remain open to anyone registered to vote until 22:00, with the count taking place overnight.

Reporting from BBC News contributed to this story.