Voters across Suffolk have been taking their dogs to their local polling stations as the country chooses its new MPs in the general election.

Polling stations across the county are set up in buildings like local schools and community halls and are open between 7am and 10pm on Thursday.

An estimated 600,000 people are eligible to vote in Suffolk, with the county choosing eight MPs who will represent the region's interests for the next five years.

This is also the first general election since 1945 that has been held in July, making for nice weather for people to take their dogs with them to the polling stations - although the pets must wait outside.

Friday joined the voters at Bramford.Penny was waiting outside for her owner at Kesgrave. (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Friday is one such dog who accompanied their owner to the booth in Bramford. 

Hercules came down to Kesgrave to join the polling station dogs group.Hercules came down to Kesgrave to join the polling station dogs group. (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Meanwhile, Penny and Hercules had followed their owners to the station in Kesgrave. 

Sarah Hucklesby took her dog down to the polls.Sarah Hucklesby took her dog down to the polls. (Image: Sarah Hucklesby)

Sarah Hucklesby, of Hemingstone, also ended up taking her dog on a walk to the polling booth.

Voters in Thorndon added crocheted decorations to their station.Voters in Thorndon added crocheted decorations to their station. (Image: Sarah Chambers)

Voters in Thorndon had a more creative approach to decorating their polling stations - by placing a crocheted football player on top of their post box. 

Taking dogs to polling stations has become something of a social media phenomenon whenever the country goes to the polls, whether that be for a general or local election.

Owners frequently take pictures of their pets waiting patiently outside the stations and share them online.

As well as taking dogs (although not a requirement) this election is the first in which voters are required to bring some form of ID with them to vote.

This election there are also boundary changes for the Waveney (now called Lowestoft) seat, Suffolk Coastal, Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds (renamed Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket), South Suffolk and West Suffolk seats.

Nearly 600,000 people have the opportunity to vote in SuffolkNearly 600,000 people have the opportunity to vote in Suffolk (Image: Charlotte Bond)

South Suffolk loses Clare and Cavendish to West Suffolk and will now share Babergh's borders, for example.