Decision day: Who do you want to run Britain?

Opinion polls have refused to budge over the course of the month long campaign with neither the Conservatives nor Labour on course to win a majority.

Neither leader was prepared to discuss the likelihood of any discussions with other parties after the results come in in the early hours of tomorrow morning.

But Scottish National Party leader Nicola Sturgeon is expected to hold the balance of power, despite not even standing as an MP, with polls suggesting Labour faces a near wipeout north of the border and the SNP could have more than 50 seats.

The Tories have spent the election campaign warning of the 'risk' to the economy of a minority Labour government propped up by the SNP.

Ed Miliband has repeatedly stressed he will not do any deal with the nationalists who he says want to break up the UK.

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has indicated he would not form a coalition with either the Tories or Labour that would not guarantee a majority in the Commons, saying that a coalition was 'very likely' after May 7.

On a final visit to Cannock Chase, one of the constituencies to change hands from Labour to the Conservatives in 2010, the Prime Minister said people had been keeping their cards close to their chests and appealed for anyone who was undecided to get out and vote today.

The Prime Minister was at Stepping Stones day nursery, based in Heath Hayes Community Centre, talking to parents and children about pledges to increase the amount of free childcare they receive.

And he said the West Midlands would be crucial to the outcome of the election because it contains some of the most marginal constituencies.

Seven out of 19 covered by the Express & Star changed hands at the last election while Labour defends slender majorities in others such as Dudley North and Walsall North.

He said: "This election is different because you have a wipe out of Labour in Scotland. Do you want to risk Ed Miliband propped up by the SNP on a budget by budget, issue by issue, measure by measure approach or do you want to stick with a team that's turning around the economy? People were still making up their mind.

"The 2008 crash was very painful and it's taken time to recover from that. People are keeping their cards close to their chests. They want to see that we're going to build on our plans.

We're building houses for people so they can buy and own them. People are making their decision late. I respect and understand that."

Refusing to be drawn on plans for any negotiations with other parties Mr Miliband said: "I'm not countenancing defeat. I'm focusing on winning the election."

Polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm.

Councils are expecting to have a busy night because local authority elections are taking place at the same time. Those votes will be counted tomorrow but must be verified before counting for MPs' constituencies can start.

Acting returning officer and chief executive of South Staffordshire Council, Steve Winterflood, said: "This is probably the biggest election count we have ever seen, and has been carefully planned for months.

"We know a lot of people want a quick turnaround on results, which is why we will be verifying and counting throughout the night and into Friday.

"Polling stations throughout the district will make it really easy for local people to cast their vote.

"We hope as many people who are eligible to vote make their voices heard on May 7 in both the parliamentary, district and parish elections."