Tories Tipped For By-Election Win

A dozen candidates are vying for a parliamentary seat at the Norwich North by-election today.

Polls opened at 7am and will close at 10pm, however, counting will not commence until tomorrow.

The seat became vacant after Labour MP Ian Gibson stood down amid continued expenses revelations.

It is the first time voters in England will take to the parliamentary ballot box since the far-reaching Commons scandal broke.

The Tories are expected to take the seat, which has been held by Labour since 1997.

At the last general election the Labour Party enjoyed a 5,000 majority.

A loss to the Conservatives could be another blow for Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who in recent months has faced down continued pressure on his leadership.

"I hope people who are Labour voters will come out and vote Labour," Mr Brown said.

However, government sources have played down their chances of winning the seat.

Tory candidate Chloe Smith is only 27, while her Labour rival Chris Ostrowski is 28.

Either would become the youngest member of the current parliament if they were to enter the Commons.

Mr Ostrowski had to withdraw from further canvassing earlier week due to suspected swine flu.

The ten other runners are Peter Baggs, an Independent; Thomas Burridge, Libertarian Party; Anne Fryatt, None of The Above Party; Bill Holden, Independent; Laud Howling, The Official Monster Raving Loony Party; Craig Murray, Put An Honest Man into Parliament; April Pond, Liberal Democrat; Rupert Read, Green; Glenn Tingle, UK Independence Party; and Robert West, British National Party.

Results are expected by noon tomorrow.

(PR/JM)