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The polls have closed in the Republic of Ireland, where voters have been taking part in a referendum on whether to legalise same-sex marriage, the BBC reports.

More than 3.2m people were asked whether they wanted to amend the country's constitution to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry.

Polling stations closed at 22:00 BST and counting is due to start on Saturday morning.

They reported an "unusually high" turnout on Friday.

Irish state broadcaster RTÉ said the turnout in most areas was well ahead of what it had been in recent referendums.

Dublin, Limerick and Waterford passed the 60% electorate turnout mark, while in Cork, Carlow, Kilkenny, Donegal, Tipperary, Kerry and Galway it was above 50%.

Prior to Friday, votes had already been cast in some islands as well as hospitals, hospices and nursing homes. Irish citizens who are registered are allowed to vote, but there is no postal voting. Many people returned to Ireland to cast their votes.

They were asked whether they agree with the statement: "Marriage may be contracted in accordance with law by two persons without distinction as to their sex."

The referendum was being held 22 years after homosexual acts were decriminalised in Ireland.

In 2010, the Irish government enacted civil partnership legislation, which provided legal recognition for gay couples.