Thousands of people went to the polls across the North East as the local elections kicked off on Thursday.
People living in Newcastle , Gateshead , North Tyneside , South Tyneside and Sunderland were choosing local councillors, while voting for the first ever North of Tyne Mayor also opened.
Residents were able to cast their vote from 7am onwards and many decided to head to their polling station early.
Some turned out with their children, before dropping them off to school or nursery, while others voted before work.
At St Hilda’s Church in Jesmond, a steady stream of people arrived between 7am and 9am.
Patrick Reckitt, 26, said it was important to vote as it gave people a chance to “have a say”.
He added: "It's important to vote, especially at local elections where turnout is generally a lot lower. It gives us an opportunity to have our say.
"On a local level, the important issues are whether the council is providing good services, like bin collections. On a wider level, employment is an issue and how they are going to create more jobs in the area."
Newcastle University student Jack Hancock, 21, was also out early to vote.
He said: "Having an elected mayor is a really big deal for the city.
"The North of Tyne mayor will have a big job on their hands and will have to deal with issues like homelessness.
"They will only have a limited budget. So it will be interesting to see where the money will be spent."
One woman, who has lived in Jesmond for many years, said: "I always vote no matter what and this year is more important than ever from a local point of view.
"We are choosing a mayor to represent us. We don't really know how this mayoral system will really work out but I've picked who I think could do a good job."
Polling stations are open until 10pm on Thursday.
Who do the bookies think will be the first North of Tyne mayor?
