DORSET residents will go to the polls today to decide who will be the county’s Police and Crime Commissioner.

It has been a slow and steady morning so far according to Bournemouth Borough Council staff at the St Stephen's Road customer contact centre, who said they expect an influx later this evening but this morning has largely attracted elderly residents.

Votes will be cast between 7am and 10pm at polling stations across Dorset with the result due to be announced on Friday.

The successful candidate will take up the position following a swearing-in ceremony on May 12.

One resident, who preferred not to be named, said: "I think it's important if we have got a vote then we should use it.  

"I do value the role [of the commissioner]. My son-in-law was in the police force as is my granddaughter. It's absolutely important."

Another resident, Leslie Spetch, of Norwich Avenue, said he votes in all elections.

"I always come to vote in everything," the 92-year-old said.

"I'm quite pleased with the police and I think it is important."

Police and Crime Commissioners were introduced in 2012 and replaced the old police authorities.

Independent Martyn Underhill won the 2012 election with 51,930 votes, finishing ahead of nearest rival, Conservative Nick King, who received 34,451.

Nationally just 15 per cent of the electorate turned out in 2012.

Mr Underhill is standing this again tomorrow, as are Andrew Graham, Patrick Canavan and Lester Taylor.

Mr Underhill is a former police officer who spent 30 years working in London and Sussex before retiring to Dorset.

He is a former Detective Chief Inspector who was second in command during the high-profile investigation into the murder of schoolgirl Sarah Payne.

Mr Graham, the Conservative candidate, retired from the British Army in 2011 after a 37-year career, in which he reached the rank of lieutenant general.

The 59-year-old served in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in Northern Ireland and Baghdad, among other locations. Since leaving the military he has been chief executive of youth development charity the British Exploring Society.

Labour candidate Mr Canavan spent more than 40 years working for trade unions before contesting two general elections.

The law graduate spent the majority of his career with Amicus, which later merged to become Britain’s largest trade union Unite, as a regional officer.

Mr Taylor, the UKIP candidate, reached the rank of lieutenant commander in the Royal Navy before retiring in 2000.

He later worked as a financial advisor, qualified as a stockbroker and was recently elected a town councillor for Shaftesbury.

PCC elections are taking place across England and Wales with many areas also involved in local council elections. In the Echo's area there are no council elections, aside from two by-elections in North Dorset.