FUNDING for public services is dominating the minds of voters as they turn out in droves in Headstone North.

Residents are arriving in large numbers at The Parish of St Alban Church hall, in Norwood Drive, to have their say in the local and general elections.

Aarti Dave, 38, brought her daughter along to the polling station and told the Harrow Times education and the health service are important when she casts her vote.

She said: “I have young kids in education, so funding for that really affects me.

“I think when you are talking about a hung Parliament and in a recession like this, what happens next is very important.”

Charles Somasundrum, 80, has voted in every election since he moved to Britain in 1971 and says it is a “civic duty” for everyone to cast their votes today.

He said: “They say every election is the most important, but I think it is important to vote every time.”

The North Harrow church hall sits in Headstone North ward, and Patricia Roach said local issues like clean streets and safe parks are key when she casts her votes.

She said: “I want the council to keep the streets and pavements clean, and fix some of the holes in the roads.

“If you don't vote then you can't grumble afterwards if the park is in a mess or the pavements are uneven.”

Mrs Roach, 68, who came to vote with her sister Ann, added she would like to see the next government cut some of the waste out of the NHS.

The Headstone North ward is a traditional Tory safe seat, but tube worker James Bond has joined the traditional parties in fighting for one of the three seats on Harrow Council as an independent.

The council seats will be decided tomorrow afternoon, while a result is due in the race to be Harrow West MP in the early hours of tomorrow morning.