The UK goes to the polls today in what is being described as a "once in a generation" election.

After five years of the Conservative-led coalition with the Liberal Democrats, it is still anyone’s guess as to who will hold the keys to Number 10 come next week - or who they will invite into Downing Street with them.

In Epsom and Ewell, 78,633 people have registered to vote and will decide whether to give Conservative Chris Grayling - the incumbent in the constituency since 2001 - another term, or back one of the six other candidates vying to snatch the traditionally safe Tory seat.

Labour’s Sheila Carlson, Liberal Democrat Stephen Gee, UKIP’s Robert Leach, Susan McGrath for the Green party, and independent hopefuls Lionel Blackman and Gareth Harfoot are all hoping to win the race to Westminster.

The Epsom Guardian interviewed each of the candidates in-depth and asked them why you should give them your vote.

Which candidate is most scared of snakes? Which one is a psychotherapist? Who dodged the poll tax?

Our comprehensive profiles will tell you all you need to know if you are still undecided:

MEET YOUR CANDIDATES IN EPSOM AND EWELL

In 2010, Mr Grayling won Epsom and Ewell with nearly 31,000 votes, giving him a majority of more than 16,000.

The Liberal Democrats came second with nearly 15,000 votes, and Labour took third-place winning 6,500 votes.

In Epsom’s neighbouring constituencies, Reigate and Banstead and Mole Valley, Conservatives are also the incumbents.

Crispin Blunt is hoping for re-election in Reigate, where he is battling Labour’s Ali Aklakul, Liberal Democrat Anna Tarrant, Joseph Fox for UKIP and Jonathan Essex for the Green party.

In Mole Valley, Sir Paul Beresford is going head-to-head with Len Amos for Labour, Liberal Democrat Paul Kennedy, UKIP’s Paul Oakley and the Green party’s Jacquetta Fewster.

How different will the results be this time around?

Read our comprehensive profiles on all of the candidates in Reigate and Banstead and Mole Valley:

MEET YOUR CANDIDATES IN REIGATE AND BANSTEAD

MEET YOUR CANDIDATES IN MOLE VALLEY

The people of Epsom and Ewell will also vote today on who they want to be their borough councillors for the next four years.

Residents’ Association councillors have had majority control of the borough council for more than 70 years and it is one of the few local authorities in the country not run by the main political parties.

Will opposition candidates from Labour, Liberal Democrat, Conservative and Green party candidates manage to upset the status quo?

Find out who your candidates are for Epsom and Ewell Council:

COUNCIL CANDIDATES IN EPSOM AND EWELL

A third of councillors are also up for election to Reigate and Banstead and Mole Valley councils.

Find out who your candidates are for these councils:

COUNCIL CANDIDATES IN REIGATE AND BANSTEAD AND MOLE VALLEY

Read here for information on polling stations, polling cards, postal votes and more:

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT VOTING 

Over the next 24 hours, the Epsom Guardian will be bringing you all the results and rumours, tales of tears and triumph from the elections on this website and on Twitter.

Reporter Hardeep Matharu will be at the count with candidates tonight at Epsom Downs Racecourse, where results are expected at 3am.

Follow her live coverage on this website and on Twitter @epsomguardian and @hardeep_matharu.

Reporter Alice Foster will be out at polling stations this morning. Follow her coverage @epsomjourno.

Stay with us throughout the day and into the night as the excitement mounts.

View the latest news on Twitter and this website on the election section: www.epsomguardian.co.uk/generalelection2015.

Send in your photos and keep us informed of how you are getting involved with the general and local elections by emailing hmatharu@london.newsquest or calling the newsdesk on 0208 722 6346.