VOTERS go to the polls today from 7am until 10pm in one of the most exciting General Elections ever.

And the race for Halesowen and Rowley Regis is a microcosm of the national battle with pollsters and bookies declaring the result too close to call.

Both the Labour and Conservative parties have poured resources into the marginal seat and sent their big hitters on the campaign trail to attract votes.

The constituency is currently in Conservative hands, the 2015 battle for control is between James Morris (Conservative), John Payne (Green), Stephanie Peacock (Labour), Dean Perks (UKIP) and Peter Tyzack (Lib Dem).

Candidates for the Stourbridge constituency, which covers Cradley, and was won by the Tories last time, are Chris Bramall (Lib Dem), Jim Carver (UKIP), Margot James (Conservative), Christian Kiever (Green) and Pete Lowe (Labour).

Although many forecasters are predicting a hung Parliament, both Labour and the Conservatives say they are aiming for an overall majority.

To take control in the House of Commons a party needs to have 326 MPs. If no party gains outright control politicians will have to do deals in the corridors of power to secure a formal coalition or an informal arrangement, possibly between several parties, to ensure legislation can be passed.

Follow all the election night drama by logging on to our website for live coverage from the counts including results and reaction.

Visit the election 2015 section of our website and click on the local election section for details of candidates in the Sandwell and Dudley Council elections and results as they are declared tomorrow (Friday).