Voters head to the polls in Rochdale by-election

Voters in Rochdale will today choose their new MP as polling stations open across the constituency.

The by-election was called after the death of Labour stalwart Sir Tony Lloyd last month, who had been suffering from an aggressive and untreatable form of leukaemia.

There are now 11 candidates vying to replace him and represent the Greater Manchester seat in the House of Commons.

All the candidates in Rochdale Azhar Ali - Independent, formerly Labour

Paul Ellison – Conservative

Iain Donaldson - Liberal Democrats

Simon Danczuk - Reform UK

George Galloway - Workers Party of Britain

Reverend Mark Coleman – Independent

Michael Howarth – Independent

David Anthony Tully – Independent

William Howarth – Independent

Guy Otten - Green Party, on ballot paper but not campaigning

Ravin Rodent Subortna - Official Monster Raving Loony Party

Polls will remain open until 10pm tonight - although as long as you are in the queue before that time, you will still be able to have your say.

Anyone who is over 18 and registered to vote in the constituency can cast a ballot.

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The result is expected to come in the early hours of Friday morning.

Sky News' chief political correspondent Jon Craig will be at the count tonight to bring you all the updates from the floor - and we will let you know the result as soon as it happens.