Voters will rush to the polls after EastEnders, according to officials.

Finchley and Golders Green is set to be a close race tonight, with Labour’s Sarah Sackman hoping to take the seat from Conservative Mike Freer, who won in 2010 with a majority of 5,809.

Officials at the Green Man Community Centre, in East Finchley, said it had been steady throughout the day, after an early morning rush.

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They added that a lot of youngsters and first-time voters had turned out.

One official said: “I am expecting it to get busy after the school run, and then between 6pm and 10pm.

“After EastEnders a lot will come out. That’s what they usually say.”

Meanwhile, in Golders Green at Menorah Primary School, party workers said they felt the turnout had increased from 2010.

Polling station teller and Conservative Party member Rabbi Ralph Berisch said: “This time of the day, there was nobody here last time. They came during the evening, but today it’s been steady all day long.

“I think this election is more important than the elections before, and therefore people feel a bit more responsible to come and vote.”

At Sunnyfields School in Hendon, presiding officer Sarfraz Khan said: "There's been a constant flow. More busy than normal, which is what we were expecting."

Votes will start being counted at Allianz Park shortly after polls close at 10pm, and results will be declared overnight.

Chief reporter Anna Slater will tweet updates using the hashtag #BarnetCounts, and you can follow our live blog here.