See the cutest dogs at polling stations in East Anglia

Hunter and mum Saffy are pictured at a polling station in the Bury St Edmunds area Picture: DERMOT O'RIORDAN (Image: Dermot O'Riordan)

Although our four-legged friends might not get a vote, they were taking the lead and stealing a lot of the attention today as voters turned out around Suffolk and north Essex.

Karen Rhodes of Coddenham, founder of Luxury Dog Hampers, took a photo of her pet Bailey early this morning. She posted: "Bailey was up bright and early to come with me this morning. He came inside with me and a kind person held him while I voted."

Captain at Rattlesden Picture: JANE OLIVE (Image: Jane Olive)

Jacqueline French commented in her tweet: "Buxton would have voted not to go out in the drizzle in Ipswich today!"

Ava and Molly at Martlesham Pavilion. Picture: BRIDGET BURKE (Image: Bridget Burke)

Rebecca and Richard Thornton sent in a photo of their pet dog, Pete, at the Kingfisher Pub polling station in Hawthorn Drive. Pete is a social media star, with his own Instagram account, @Pete.thedog.

Ty the Staffie at Hatfield Road in Ipswich Picture: CHRIS HASLOP (Image: Chris Haslop)

Jo Hambling also sent in a picture of her German Shepherd cross rescue dog, Skipper, and said: "We took to the polling station at 7.15 this morning - in the frost - to make sure our vote was posted. We voted at Alan Road Methodist Church in Ipswich."

Rudy was at Canterbury Road in New Town, Colchester today Picture: JAKE FOXFORD (Image: Archant)

And Bridget Burke tweeted a photo of two dogs, Ava and Molly, standing outside Martlesham Pavilion.

Skipper at the polling station at Alan Road Methodist Church in Ipswich Picture: JO HAMBLING (Image: Jo Hambling)

Ness Butler shared a photo of her two dogs in their pretty pink coats, and said: "Voted at Broomhill on our morning walk. Certainly wouldn't dream of leaving them alone outside, my husband and I took it in turns to go in to vote."

Pete at the Kingfisher pub polling station Picture: REBECCA AND RICHARD THORNTON (Image: Rebecca and Richard Thornton)

Meanwhile, West Suffolk Council was encouraging voters to post their dog photos, and tweeted some pictures of pooches around their area.

Sweep the Cocker Spaniel at a polling station in Saxmundham. Picture: SYLVIA PAPWORTH (Image: Sylvia Papworth)

Outside the Old School Community Centre in Clare Picture: PAMELA BROOMHALL (Image: Pamela Broomhall)

Digby at Alan Road Methodist Church in Ipswich Picture: JESSICA UNDERWOOD (Image: Jessica Underwood)

Ness Butler's dogs looking very fashionable at Broomhill in Ipswich Picture: NESS BUTLER (Image: Ness Butler)