Voters are flocking to polling stations this morning across the Richmond Park and North Kingston constituency.

Last week: Richmond Park by-election candidates Zac Goldsmith and Sarah Olney go head-to-head in fierce debate

A by-election was called when then-Conservative incumbent Zac Goldsmith resigned as MP in October after the Government gave the go-ahead for a third runway at Heathrow airport.

Standing as an independent candidate, Mr Goldsmith will defend the 23,000 majority he received in May 2015 against Liberal Democrat challenger Sarah Olney.

The latest data collected by the Liberal Democrats shows Mr Goldsmith is still favourite, although the margin of victory could be fewer than 2,000 votes.

Last week: Zac Goldsmith leads by 50 per cent to 42 per cent in Richmond Park byelection, senior Liberal Democrat claims

Zac Goldsmith: Anything but a vote for me in the Richmond Park byelection would make Heathrow expansion inevitable

Polling stations opened at 7am and will close at 10pm, and the Met Office has forecasted a cold yet dry day with temperatures mostly between three and five degrees Celsius.

The candidates are:

Zac Goldsmith Independent

Howling Laud Hope Monster Raving Loony Party

Maharaja Jammu and Kashmir One Love Party

Sarah Olney Liberal Democrat

David Powell

Dominic Francis Stockford Christian Peoples Alliance

Fiona-Natasha Syms Independent

Christian Wolmar Labour Party