Counting of votes is due to begin in Northern Ireland Assembly election

Counting of votes is due to begin shortly in the Northern Ireland Assembly election, with the verification of votes underway at count centres across Northern Ireland.

The snap poll, which comes less than a year after the previous election, was triggered by the collapse of Stormont amid controversy over a renewable heating scheme.

Turnout of voters is understood to be up since the May 2016 election turnout of 54.9 %.

A total of 228 candidates are standing across the 18 constituencies - however the number of seats have been reduced this time from 108 to 90.

Five MLAs will be returned in each constituency.

Polling stations were open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday. Final results are due on Saturday.