When is the 2019 general election - and when will the results be announced?

Britain is heading to the polls on December 12 for the first Christmas election in almost a century.

A breakneck 44-day countdown was triggered when MPs voted for an election in the House of Commons on Tuesday 29 October.

The timetable is even shorter than the 51 days Theresa May had before her snap election in 2017.

But as it's in the depths of winter it may feel like a lot longer.

With manifesto launches and key campaign dates still to be announced, here's a rough outline of dates to look out for from the election.

As it's in the depths of winter it may feel like a lot longer (PA)

Tuesday 5 November: Parliament sits for its final day before being dissolved, with a possible flurry of statements 'taking out the trash' before it is suspended.

Wednesday 6 November: Parliament is dissolved at one minute past midnight by the Queen, on the Prime Minister's advice. The campaign kicks off in earnest. Manifestos are usually launched a couple of weeks before polling day and 'battle buses' tour the country.

Friday 15 November*: Deadline for candidates to submit their nominations at 4pm. An hour later we start getting the full lists of who's standing in all 650 seats across the length and breadth of the UK.

Tuesday 26 November*: Deadline to register to vote at midnight.

Wednesday 27 November*: The deadline for new postal vote applications, or changes to existing postal votes, is 5pm.

Wednesday 4 December: The deadline for receiving new proxy vote applications (not by post) will be 5pm.

Thursday 12 December: POLLING DAY. Polls open at 7am and close at 10pm. If you are at the polling station by 10pm you should be allowed to vote, even if there is a queue.

Friday 13 December: RESULTS DAY. Results roll in overnight and the winner, or whether it's a hung parliament, is usually known by about 5am. If it's a hung parliament expect bartering and horse-trading in an attempt to form a government. Last time this involved the Tories stitching up a deal with the DUP - in 2010 it was the Lib Dems - and both times it took several days.

January 31: Brexit deadline. The new PM will have barely six weeks including Christmas to agree and ratify a Brexit deal, or face requesting another extension from the EU.

*These deadlines may end up being a day earlier - the government is still clarifying. To be safe, register to vote now.