By Nikki Jarvis

nikki.jarvis@essnmedia.co.uk

Croydon voters going to the polls have been telling us who they were planning to vote for - and why.

We have been interviewing voters in the Croydon South and Croydon Central constituencies this afternoon (Thursday).

In Croydon South, ​Titus Blackwell, 33, a plumber from Haling Park Road, South Croydon,

told us he was about to vote for Richard Ottaway, not that he knew who he was.

He said: "I'm voting for the Conservative Party because I don't like Labour.

"I don't have a clue who the candidate is but as long as it's not them (Labour) I don't care.

"Personally I would like more skills training at a local level – especially in things like welding.

"There's nowhere you can do things like that in the borough apart from at Croydon College.

"It would also be nice to see less parking wardens."

Retired Sheila Cummings, 61, also from Haling Park Road, South Croydon, was planning to vote for Jane Avis, but again with national politics in mind.

She said: "I'm voting for Labour. I think it's because I've always voted for them and like they say - better the devil you know.

"Policing needs to change the most in Croydon. Youths in the borough are absolutely horrendous."

In Croydon Central housewife Sabohi Qureshi, 32, from Tunstall Road, Croydon, said she would be voting for Independent candidate Andrew Pelling.

She explained: "He has done a lot for Croydon. He has set up a petition for Mayday Hospital because he takes an interest in his constituency and lives here.

"The crime rate needs to go down for once and we need better education and more concentration on improving the NHS.

"I think Pelling could make a difference with these things because he cares and takes a keen interest in the local area."

In the same constituency Patricia Bryars, 80, from Ashburton Road, Croydon, was planning to vote for the Tories' Gavin Barwell.

She said: "I am willing to accept reforms which are for the good of everyone and not just for the working class.

"I do not want to see anything changing in Croydon apart from immigration. People should have to have exams in English before they come to this country."

*Tell us who you are voting for and why by leaving a comment below.

*Check this website throughout tonight and tomorrow for live updates of results from the general and local elections as they come in.