General Election: counting of votes under way across Northern Ireland

Counting has begun in the General Election across Northern Ireland.

A total of 136 candidates are standing in 18 constituencies.

Counting is taking place in three count centres - the Titanic Exhibition Centre in Belfast, the Meadowbank Sports Arena in Magherafelt and the South Lake Leisure Centre in Craigavon.

While there has been no official figures released on voter turnout in the region so far, several polling stations reported brisk business.

Our Reporters will be bringing you results as we get them throughout the night.

Meanwhile, at the Meadowbank Sports Arena count centre, the DUP's Sammy Wilson said he was confident he will retain his seat in East Antrim, albeit with a lower vote share.

"My majority at the moment is over 6,000. It may be lower because of the lower turnout and the challenge from the TUV candidate," he said.

"There is a totally new area where the TUV (Traditional Unionist Voice) candidate has a council seat."

Asked about the threat from the Alliance Party'sDanny Donnelly, Mr Wilson said: "I think it will be a scrabble between Danny Donnelly and the Ulster Unionists as to who comes second.

"Alliance came second last time, and I expect they will do so again."

Meanwhile, UUP candidate Tim Collins said people in the North Down constituency were more interested in "potholes and hedges" than international affairs as he looked set to take third place there.

The retired colonel said independent unionist candidate Alex Easton is doing well in the count, although not all the ballot boxes had been opened yet.

"People in North Down, I think they don't want someone who doesn't live in Northern Ireland," he told the BBC.

"They're interested in local politics, they're not interested in cutting VAT, they're not interested in international affairs. They're interested in potholes and hedges."

Asked would he run again in five years' time, Col Collins said he could not predict what he would be doing then: "I was asked to do this, and I'll happily do it. I financed myself and I'm pleased I did it because, I'm putting something back into Northern Ireland and I'm pleased to do that."

He also defended comments he made during the campaign about his Rolls Royce, which he said was more expensive to insure in Northern Ireland.

"It's Northern Ireland, they don't understand these things. The point I was making is it's an expensive car, it is cheaper to insure in England than it is here," he said.

Diana Armstrong, Ulster Unionist candidate for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, said she is "very confident" she can reclaim the seat from Sinn Fein.

"I'm very confident in winning the seat. I've conducted a really good campaign with a really good team," she said as she arrived at Magherafelt count centre.

"We've covered the entire constituency, visited every village and every town so yes, I'm confident the hard work has paid off.

"It's something that's been building and certainly the confidence of the Ulster Unionist Party and the messaging that we're giving.

"Certainly I just feel it has been something that we've been waiting for to happen.

"I would remain cautious. We obviously have to go through a process here and I'm feeling confident because I have faith in my campaign and my team.

"I know the people, I know the area. I'm a hard working councillor and I do know what matters in Fermanagh.

"I feel I'm in touch with people. I'm grounded and I belong to the place. So I think those are advantages that I've proven myself well over the years."

Elsewhere, former Health Minister Robin Swann is confident he can take a seat from the DUP in South Antrim.

Early tallies suggest he is set to claim the seat from Paul Girvan.

Mr Swann said: "Well look from the feedback I'm receiving so far, it seems we could be heading that direction.

"I'll wait until it's been announced."

Asked about the margin he believes he has won, Mr Swann said: "I don't have those figures at the moment. I'll get back to you. I'll get back to you.

"Well, look, I think we've had a very dedicated team working across South Antrim.

"The decision the party made to move me from North Antrim into the South Antrim has actually paid off in regards to this.

"But look the engagement we were having across the entire constituency was positive. People in South Antrim were saying they wanted change and we've given them an option."

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald and deputy leader Michelle O'Neill have arrived at the Magherafelt count centre in Northern Ireland.

Ms O'Neill said she was interested in a "good positive relationship" between the Executive and the incoming Labour government, adding: "The Tories have not been any friend to the people here, haven't been any friend to public services, haven't been any friend to any household dealing with the cost-of-living crisis.

"So I think there is an opportunity for us to work with Labour. The number one priority for the Executive certainly will be to try and get a better funder model for public services."

Ms McDonald said there was an opportunity for a "reset of relationship" between Ireland and the UK.

"We very much hope that there will be a step change. We look forward to that.

"There are big issues on the direct horizon; the Legacy legislation, our wider relationships, charting a course for the future, our collective relations with the European Union."

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