Bedford votes for new-style mayor

Voters have eight candidates to choose from

Voters in Bedford are going to the polls on Thursday to elect a mayor.

The town is one of four in the country where elections are taking place following a referendum on the issue.

The new mayor will head a cabinet of between two and nine members already serving on the council.

The first round result is expected to be announced at the Corn Exchange by midnight.

New legislation

Electors in Bedford have a choice of eight candidates, and can cast their votes between 0800 BST and 2100 BST.

Mansfield in Nottinghamshire, Stoke-on-Trent and Hackney in London are also electing mayors on Thursday.

A further eight places have opted for the US-style system since legislation was introduced to allow for mayors, with several places picking controversial figures.

Earlier this year, Hartlepool elected its football club monkey mascot, Stuart Drummond, to the post.

And in London, the Labour party suffered an embarrassing defeat in 2000 when Ken Livingstone won as an independent.