The seats where your General Election vote will really count

There are nine seats where every vote will be vital in the choice of MP and government.

In Dudley North, Labour has a wafer-thin majority of 649. The polls look neck-and-neck between the party's Ian Austin and UKIP's Bill Etheridge. Liberal Democrat and Green voters could tilt the election either way by switching allegiances unless the Tories have made up lost ground after a late change of candidate.

In Wolverhampton South West, the Conservatives' Paul Uppal won by just 691 votes last time.

He faces competition from Labour's Rob Marris who lost the seat in 2010.

Liberal Democrat and UKIP voters in 2010 who have changed their minds could determine the outcome here. But those who have decided to vote for UKIP, Lib Dem or Green this time could also affect things.

David Winnick has held Walsall North for Labour for more than 36 years.

But in 2010 his majority slipped to 990. UKIP could take votes from both parties. The 4,754 people who backed the Liberal Democrats in 2010 could hold the balance of power.

James Morris won Halesowen and Rowley Regis for the Conservatives with a majority of 2,023 in 2010.

He is in a straight two-way battle between union rep and former teacher Stephanie Peacock for Labour. UKIP has polled well here and could sway the outcome.

Wyre Forest is something of an anomaly.

Mark Garnier won for the Tories by 2,643.

The man he defeated, independent Dr Richard Taylor, is contesting the seat again. In the past Labour has polled strongly and nobody knows what the UKIP effect will be. Every single vote here matters.

Cannock Chase has seen UKIP polling up to 30 per cent of the vote but has fallen back in recent weeks.

The seat, won by Conservative Aidan Burley in a shock victory last time, should be a tussle between the Tories and Labour.

UKIP voters hold the balance of power here.

In Dudley South, the Conservatives defend a majority 3,856. Liberal Democrat and UKIP voters could vote tactically to tilt the result here.

Likewise, in Stourbridge, a seat won by the Tories in 2010, UKIP and undecided voters will play a huge role in determining the outcome.

And one of the most unpredictable is Stafford.

The Tories hold a 5,460 majority after winning the seat from Labour in 2010.

The downgrade of Stafford Hospital has been a huge issue with campaigners furious with the Conservatives and Labour who have both made promises to restore services during the campaign.

Karen Howell, who led the march of 50,000 people through the town against the stripping of hospital services, is fighting for the National Health Action Party. UKIP is hoping its anti-HS2 stance will win a lot of votes here. The traditional parties could haemorrhage votes here.