The feeling of civic duty and taking their rights seriously seems to be what is driving residents to the ballots.

The Watford Observer asked residents why it was important to vote and about some of the reasons for why they got out to cast their ballots.

Outside Holly Well Primary School, in Tolpits Lane, Hamida Hussein, 56, with her daughter in law Misbah Bagum, 23, cast her first ever vote.

She said: “This was my first time, I’m a local lady so I took the chance.

“i did it because it’s our right we can do it even though we don’t get much opportunity to do it.

“A vote is a very powerful statement about your local area.

“Everybody should vote it’s not good for people to not vote.”

Ms Bagum, who has just moved here from Pakistan said: "I didn’t get to vote, I hope to next time though.

“I only came here from Pakistan last year so I will register and hopefully I will vote then.

"I want to vote because its our right in the UK no one can force you

"it’s our right we can to independently give our vote to that party or this party no one can force you.”

Outside Central Primary school, in Derby Road, 39-year-old Mara was escorting her child outside the school and said she had made plans to vote later that day.

She said: “The reason to vote at all is just to feel like you have a voice.

"Like you have a say where you live.

“I think that’s important everywhere it affects everybody and I don’t get people who don’t vote.

"People died for the right.”

In Malvern way, Croxley Green, Emma Slaughter cast her ballot.

She said: “it's a beautiful day and I always make a point of ensuring I vote.

"As a woman I think it’s important that we are voting we have an obligation i think.

“It does feel like it has come round again very quickly though.

"I wouldn’t say I’m tired of it.

"It’s good that we live in a democracy where we can vote at all.”

Outside the polling station Irene Dubuis, a Lib Dem teller for the vote said: “People don’t appreciate how important the local vote is

"People tend to think only of the general election but they don’t deal with the issues that people face at the local level.

“I think my generation have always seen it as their responsibility, its our civic duty.

"Its sad, the younger generation, much like my children, just don't feel that way.

"But if you don’t vote you don’t get the right to complain.”

Voters are reminded to bring photo ID or a valid credit or debit card when voting in Watford today.