In pictures: Sierra Leone counts votes

Votes are being counted in Sierra Leone following elections that are expected to give the war-torn country a new start after a decade of bloodshed.

President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah has taken a big lead in early results in his bid for re-election against eight other candidates, including former rebels from the Revolutionary United Front Party.

Those whose arms were hacked off during the war had to vote using their toes

Celebrations - and disappointment - as early results start to trickle in

People were eager to vote and started queuing early in the morning

Sierra Leone hosts the world's largest UN peace-keeping force

Peace has returned to Freetown but the future remains uncertain