Thursday is decision day, as people across the North East and Cumbria vote in the UK general election.

Venues have been open since 07:00 BST, and anyone eligible can vote as long as you are in the queue before 22:00 BST.

For some, the trip to the polling station doubles up as an opportunity for pets to stretch their legs – and on a day when there are strict reporting restrictions in place for the media, pictures of dogs at polling stations have become a popular distraction.

Here are a few of the dogs whose owners have already exercised their right to vote.