VOTERS are heading to the polls today to decide who will represent their ward for the county.

A count will take place at Debden Park High School starting at 10pm, when the polls close, to decide who will give you a voice on behalf of the Epping Forest District. You can follow live updates on www.guardian-series.co.uk throughout the evening.

Polls open at 7am.

The current councillor for Buckhurst Hill and Loughton South is Valerie Metcalfe from the Conservative party. She is being challenged by candidates from the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party and the Labour Party.

The councillor for Chigwell and Loughton Broadway is Conservative John Knapman. He is standing aside, and will be challenged by the Liberal Democrats and Labour. Gagan Mohindra is hoping to become his Conservative successor.

Epping and Theydon Bois councillor is Liberal Democrat Jon Whitehouse. He is being challenged by UKIP, Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats.

Chris Pond of the Loughton Residents Association is the councillor holding Loughton Central. He will be challenged by Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats.

Anthony Jackson currently holds Nazeing and North Weald for the Conservative party. He is being challenged by the Liberal Democrats and Labour.

Ongar and Rural is held by Maggie McEwen of the Conservative Party. She is being challenged by UKIP, Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the English Democrats Party.

Ricki Gadsby currently holds the Waltham Abbey seat. She is being challenged by the Green Party, Labour and UKIP.

The Essex County Council make up in the Epping Forest District is 86 per cent Conservative, seven per cent Loughton Residents Association and seven per cent Liberal Democrat.