The polls have opened and south west Hertfordshire can finally have its say on whether to stay in the EU or cut our ties with Brussels after a gruelling 10-week campaign.

More than 46.5million are registered to vote today in a referendum many say is now too close to call.

More than 900 polling stations across the county are open until 10pm today as the country decides its future in or out of the EU.

Today's vote is a historic day for Britain because it is only the third nationwide referendum ever to take place in the UK.

Unlike a general election where the result hangs on which side wins the most parliamentary constituencies, the referendum will be decided by whichever side collects more than half the votes, regardless of where they are cast.

Votes are being cast by British, Irish, Maltese, Cypriot and Commonwealth citizens over 18 who are resident in the UK, along with UK nationals living abroad who have been on the UK electoral register in the past 15 years.

MPs across Hertfordshire have been split over the important decision, with Oliver Dowden, Richard Harrington and David Gauke voting to remain with Mike Penning saying he would vote to leave.

A poll on the Observer website saw 61 per cent voting to leave with 39 per cent voting to stay.

The first results nationally are expected to come in at around 12.30am and the final results is expected at around 7am.

In total 382 local centres will deliver a result which will be collated at 12 regional centres. In the case of Hertfordshire, results will be sent to Chelmsford.

For all of our EU referendum coverage, click here.

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  • You can keep up-to-date with the local results from the vote from 10pm tonight as we report live from the count.