VOTERS are going to the polls across Wirral today in one of the most uncertain General Elections in decades.

Nationally. last-ditch appeals by party leaders appear to have done nothing to break the opinion poll deadlock and left the country facing the prospect of another hung parliament.

But with millions apparently still undecided or open to changing their minds, the likely new Westminster balance of power remains highly unclear.

One of the closest contests is Wirral West, where Labour’s Margaret Greenwood is battling to take the seat from Conservative Employment Minister Esther McVey.

Ms Greenwood, a former teacher, was said to have a four-point lead ahead of her Tory rival yesterday.

Wirral West is a key seat to watch when the results are announced on Friday morning – the Globe will be reporting live from the count at Wirral Tennis Centre throughout the night.

Results are expected to be declared at around 5am.

Ms McVey will be hoping to retain the seat she won with a 6% majority in 2010, but Labour hasd has been pulling out all the stops through the election campaign.

Wirral Globe:

Wirral West Tory candidate Esther McVey still out on the campaign trail in West Kirby earlier this morning     Picture: PA News

The party's big guns have been wheeled out to visit the constituency in the build-up to polling day.

In March, former deputy PM and climate change advisor John Prescott visited West Kirby and Labour leader Ed Miliband visited Pensby.

Caroline Flint and Chuka Umunna have also turned up in recent weeks.

On the Conservative front, Chancellor George Osborne came to Wirral on Bank Holiday Monday to show his support for Ms McVey.

And former Foreign Secretary and one-time Conservative leader William Hague enjoyed a cup of tea in West Kirby's Toast cafe on Tuesday, when he said the “sky is the limit” for Ms McVey.

But the campaign has turned ugly in the constituency with graffiti scrawled across former Hoylake Town Hall - now the area's JobCentre - saying "McVey Murderer."

Conservative offiicals said it was "a new low" and believed Ms McVey had become the victim of a mysoginist attack.

The vandalism was also roundly condemned by Labour.

In the betting world, more than £50,000 has been gambled on the outcome of the election in Wirral West, with independent bookmaker Betfred saying two thirds of bets have been placed on Labour to win.

Election stakes are high and while many will place smaller bets, around five or six people have placed wagers of £500 on who will become the next MP for Wirral West and Wirral South.

Betfred odds for Wirral West on Tuesday put Ms Greenwood as the favourite to win at 4/6 while a victory for Ms McVey’s was 6/5.

Dozens of media organisations will attend the count at Woodchurch tonight, drawn by the high-profile Wirral West battle.

Many believe the constituency is a "kingmaker" that could decide who eventually gets the keys to No 10.

The result is also expected to be close in Wirral South, polls suggest, where Labour’s Alison McGovern is fighting off a challenge from Tory hopeful John Bell.

Wirral Globe:

Voting underway at St George's Primary School in Wallasey  Picture: Paul Heaps

Over in Birkenhead and Wallasey, polls are showing unassailable leads for veteran Labour politicians Frank Field and Angela Eagle. 

Polling stations will be open until 10pm.

David Cameron and Ed Miliband wrote exclusively for the Globe this week on why Wirral should vote for their party.

TOWN HALL

It will be the busiest election day since 1979, with nearly 10,000 council seats across the country also up for grabs.

The local elections have had to play second fiddle this year to their parliamentary counterpart, and the campaign has been low-key in Wirral to say the least.

However, 22 of the 66 seats that make up Wirral Council are being contested today.

It would take an unprecedented landslide to dethrone the Labour administration and privately, councillors of all parties admit they do not expect to see a significant change in the power balance.

Ukip are fielding candidates in all 22 wards, while the Greens are standing in 20.

Trade Union and Socialist Coalition candidates are trying their luck in six wards and three are fielding an independent.

The local election count will begin on Friday morning at 11am and the Globe will be there to bring you the latest news and the eventual winners and losers.

Prior to the election being called, the political make-up of the town hall was: Labour 38 seats, Conservatives 21, Liberal Democrats six and the Green Party one.