People across south Essex will be heading to the polls on Thursday as local elections are held across the UK. 

A number of elections are being held from parish councils to the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

All the south Essex county council seats are being contested as well as Southend, Basildon, Castle Point, Rochford and Thurrock council seats. 

Elections take place at 143 English councils, with 19 expected to count overnight, with results due early on Friday. 

In south Essex were are expected results from Southend Council and Rochford Council in the early hours of Friday. 

There will also be results in the Essex County Council seats for Castle Point, Rochford and Brentwood. 

Read more: All the elections which are taking place in Essex on Thursday

A majority of the councils, 74 in all, are understood to be counting during the day on the Friday, with most results expected in the afternoon and evening.

This inlcudes Castle Point Council and Basildon Council. 

There are also expected to be the Essex County Council seat results for Basildon on Friday. 

There are elections for 39 Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC) in England and Wales. 

The votes in the Essex commissoner is taking place during the day on Saturday with results expected around 2pm.