When: The general election count takes place from 10pm on Thursday May 7. The results are expected between 3am and 4am.

Where: Westcroft Leisure Centre, Westcroft Road, Carshalton SM5 2TG

Facilities: A media area will be set up on the balcony overlooking the count hall.

Note: There is currently very limited wifi at the venue so journalists are advised to bring an alternative themselves.

Just before the announcement of the results, the media will be escorted onto the count floor in front of the stage for filming and photographs.

Accreditation: All journalists wishing to attend the count ­must submit names in advance to Sutton Council communications team by emailing

The key contact is:

Andreas Christophorou 02087704048, Mob: 07931464843

Further information:

Broadcasters: Pre-filming of the count venue, set up of equipment and establishing scenes in the count hall etc is available on request and must be done before 9.30pm on Thursday May 7.

Camera crews can park in the leisure centre provided a permit is obtained from Andreas Christophorou in advance. If the vehicle is the size of a transit van or above, then the licence number of the vehicle and name will be needed to ensure that the barrier to the car park is raised to allow entry.

On request, it is possible to run broadcast cables from the car park to the count hall in order to film the result announcement live from 3am (baring any recounts).

Logistics: Journalists can use mobile phones and other electronic devices in the count room, however there must be no recording of images close to the count tables.  Other attendees have been requested not to use mobile phones whilst sitting or standing close to the count tables and not to film on any device in the count hall.  They have also been asked to keep noise to a minimum.  Journalists are therefore requested to restrict use of electronic devices to the media area, to avoid complaints from count supervisors or other attendees.

Results: The results will be read out by the returning officer, Sutton Mayor Arthur Hookway. They will also be uploaded instantly to Sutton Council’s website (www.sutton.gov.uk/voting) which will be promoted on the front page of the website.

We will give brief advance notice that the declaration is to be read, to enable broadcast media to position cameras.  If there are no recounts or other issues, the final result is likely to be around 3am on Friday 8 May.

Contacts:

Members of the communications team will be present through verification and count. Mobile numbers are Andreas Christophorou 07931464843 or Lee Tobin 07599692263