East Finchley residents poured into a polling station to exercise their right to vote.

Tellers collecting polling numbers said the stream of voters in High Road had been non-stop.

Gordon Fensome, 81, of Bedford Road, said he voted because it is his democratic right.

He said: “We fought hard to win out the vote. Although I don’t feel like a lot of people are worth voting for, still it’s my duty to vote.”

Vivienne Palmer, 54, of County Road said: “If you don’t vote you don’t have a right to complain. Privatisation dictated my vote. I voted Labour.”

Steve Harper, 48, and his wife Jo Harper, also voted for the Labour Party.

He said: “I think it’s essential to support the democratic mechanism. Otherwise you run a legislature that doesn’t represent the voice of the people. I believe the Conservatives are all about undoing 150 years of social reform.”

For Sarah Towner, 27, of Fortis Green, voting is also about prevention. She commented: “It’s important to stop parties like UKIP getting in.”

She believes young people’s issues have not been addressed before the elections.

She added: “They just feel kind of powerless. The feeling that their perspective and their issues aren't really covered.”