North's voters take part in national and local elections

Voters in Britain and the North go to the polls today in a series of national and local elections. They will also vote in a referendum to decide the way MPs are elected.

Elections for the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Assembly and the Northern Ireland Assembly will be held, as will polls in 279 English councils. Local authority elections will also be held in the North.

The DUP and Sinn Féin are hoping to remain the biggest parties there.

After making gains in this year's Dáil elections, Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams said it was "of essential importance" that people came out and voted.