TENS of thousands have turned out to vote in today's historic referendum on whether Britain should leave or stay with the EU.

Across the conurbation, a massive 80 per cent of residents are expected to cast their votes.

Long queues formed, some as many as 50 people in length, at church halls, portable buildings and schools across Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch.

Since December 2015, the number of registered voters has increased by as much as 7.7 per cent, recorded at North Dorset. Poole saw a rise of 5.4 per cent, Bournemouth 2.3 per cent and Christchurch 4 per cent.

The issue has sparked division amongst elected officials.

Richard Drax, MP for South Dorset, said there would be 'dancing in the street' if people voted to leave the EU.

“I am optimistic that the British people have listened to the arguments and I hope they will put all the scare stories and threats to one side and look at the hope, the excitement, of once again having control of our country," he said.

“It is a momentous day. It really is historic.

“I think those who vote to remain would be appalled in three to five years of the consequences. It will be that serious.”

But pro-remain campaigner Simon Hoare, MP for North Dorset, said: “Driving around my constituency over the past few days, I could detect that the tide is turning towards supporting remain, and therefore, while I’m not counting my chickens – every vote is going to count – I have got faith in the good sense of residents of North Dorset and across the county that our more secure and more prosperous future is in Europe.”

Voting remain, resident Sarah D'eath said she thought it was "absolutely essential" people cast their vote, when she was at the Trinity Methodist Church, Southbourne Road.

She said: "It's probably even more important than the general election. This is an historic vote. People think we'll get another vote if it all goes pear-shaped but we won't."

Angela Fisher, 68, said: "I have the feeling that maybe those who want us to remain in may not bother to vote. Let's hope they all do and we get a fair outcome."

The Old School House at Gladstone Road, Boscombe, saw its fair share of younger voters.

Anna-Louise Graham, 18, said: "Young people particularly should come and vote because it affects us the most. It's really important we have our say in what happens with us."

Alicia Perks, 34, said: "I think we're in a proper mess at the minute and I don't want to carry on the way we are. I think that's why I have voted the way I have because I was so dead set on what I wanted to vote for."

Resident Bob Martin said he didn't think the weather would stop people from voting after he saw a steady trickle of people at St Ambrose Church, near Westbourne.

He'd been outside since 9am wearing a 'vote Leave' badge.

"It's just constant with little breaks," he said. "I think it's going to be a good turn out."

Mr and Mrs Charman said there were still people 'wavering' with their vote while they were stood in the queue inside the church hall.

"I think it's very important [to vote]," Mrs Charman said.

"We were amazed at the queue. It's the first time I have seen one like that before. I think [the result] will be tight. Certain events last week might have upset people a bit."

Susan and Bob Atkins, who have been married 49 years, were at the Smugglers Lane North polling station.

Mrs Atkins said: "We have got to be in it to win it. My main worry is the financial aspect of it all."

Whereas Mr Atkins said: "If we do stay in the EU I don't think David Cameron stands a chance of renegotiating. We should have voted out in the last vote.

"The whole thing is based on supposition. No one knows which way it will go. The information we have had from both sides has been quite misleading."