TODAY we make one of the most important decisions of our lifetimes- whether to leave or remain in the EU.

Over the past four months we have heard a number of arguments from both sides about the outcome of our decision.

But as the News went to press, the polls were closer than they have ever been throughout the campaign.

Pundits say it is too close to call, with undecided voters holding the balance of power.

But one thing that is certain- the importance of voter turnout to the result.

Residents are being urged to exercise their democratic right and vote today.

Polls are open from 7am until 10pm. Once the vote is closed, the local authority area count for West Dorset will be held at St Osmund's Middle School, Dorchester.

The South West regional result will be announced at Poole. The national result will be announced from Manchester Town Hall at around 6am.

The News will be running a live blog, bringing you all the latest polling action together with it's sister paper the Dorset Echo, which will be running live from later on today.

Putting political opinion aside, the area's MPs have urged the electorate to get to the polling station today as we make the 'decision of a lifetime'.

MP for South Dorset Richard Drax said: "This vote is the most important cast in a lifetime and is is about the destiny of our country."

He added: "This decision is about the medium to long term future of the UK, not about individual political legacies."

In a final message to Echo Readers before the vote West Dorset MP Oliver Letwin said: "Today is the day when all the campaigning is over and people are actually going to make a decision.

"What I hope is anybody reading the paper realises that we are actually making a decision, this is not an opinion poll.

"This is a huge national decision about what it's going to be like for our children and grandchildren over the next 10, 20 or 50 years.

"Now is the moment to be serious about it."

Mr Letwin said he was confident that the turnout would be high in West Dorset, with the return rate of postal votes at about 85 per cent.

He said it was clear that the campaign had engaged people, whatever way they were voting, showing the 'vibrancy of our democracy.'

Ian Girling, chief executive of Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), said: “As the most important vote for a generation, we urge all of our members to have their say in the EU referendum.

“The result is likely to have a profound effect on the country and the economy for many years to come.

“There are strong views on both sides of the argument, as we saw at the Dorset EU Referendum Debate held by DCCI at our Business Leaders Forum recently.”

He added: “As a non-partisan organisation, DCCI’s role has been to give members the support they need to make an informed decision.

“Whatever the result, I hope that there will be a spirit of unity which allows businesses, and the country, to move forward with confidence.”

Visit www.dcci.co.uk and www.britishchambers.org.uk/policy-maker/eu-referendum-hub/eu-referendum-briefings.html for more information about the issues.