The public has been heading to the polls to cast their votes in the general election on Thursday.

From the quaint village community centres to the quirkier polling stations on offer, the process of crossing the box to elect a parliamentary representative has been referred to as a 'great leveller' where every person's opinion counts the same.

The backdrop to ballot-casting is typically a local sports club, parish centre, or school hall with often creaky wooden floors playing host to moments of history.

But some voters in the North East exercised their democratic right to vote inside a crematorium, while others had to pass an outdoor toilet on the way to make their decision about which party to put their trust in.

Whitley Bay Cemetery and Crematorium opened its doors on Thursday, not to mourners, but to democracy.

Voters were seen leaving in good spirits, different to the sombre mood that usually accompanies a visit to a funeral host.

(Image: PA Images)

On Teesside, one Yarm polling station by Levendale Primary School presented voters with an unusual sight with signposts to the voting booths.

A portaloo welcomed voters as they headed to the polls, offering potentially the worst sight for people still making their minds up about where to put their cross. Could it have been renamed a 'poo-lling station'?

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(Image: Nick Gullon)

Meanwhile, near Darlington, voters have been able to cast their votes in a castle.

Walworth Castle has roots dating as far back as 1150 and has hosted royalty including King James I of England as well as the Durham Light Infantry during the Second World War. 

(Image: Chris Booth)