The count for the inaugural North of Tyne mayoral election has got under way after voters went to the polls yesterday.
Counting is taking place at Northumbria University on Friday morning as five candidates wait to find out which of them will be taking on the job.
If someone wins on the first round of votes, we’re expecting the results at around 12pm. If it goes to a second round, it will be 2.30-3pm.
Five candidates are competing to become the North of Tyne's new figurehead - Labour's Jamie Driscoll, Conservative Charlie Hoult, Lib Dem John Appleby, independent candidate John McCabe, and UKIP hopeful Hugh Jackson.
The new mayor will serve in office for five years.
Bookies had Labour's Jamie Driscoll as the clear favourite heading into the final days of the North of Tyne mayoral campaign .
The bookmakers had him at 1/16, miles ahead of his nearest competitor John McCabe , the independent candidate who came from nowhere to make a mark on the election, on 12/1.
Charlie Hoult was out at 16/1, Ukip's Hugh Jackson was at 50/1 and John Appleby was at 100/1.
You can follow all the latest updates from the count with our live blog .
Who do the bookies think will be the first North of Tyne mayor?
