VOTERS have been heading to the polls in Hartlepool to elect their next MP following a high profile campaign which has attracted attention from across the country. Voters are also choosing the next Tees Valley Mayor, Police and Crime Commissioner for Cleveland and representatives on Hartlepool Borough Council. A number of polling stations have seen waiting queues this morning, with coronavirus restrictions meaning just one person has been allowed in at a time. Sixteen candidates are battling it out to become the town’s next MP following the resignation of Labour’s Mike Hill. Recent polls have put the Conservatives in the lead following a campaign which has seen multiple visits from both Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Labour leader Keir Starmer and a host of high profile politicians.