French expatriates based in London vote for their country's next president.

Thousands flocked to polling stations across the city, which is home to 350,000 French nationals.

The contest has run for months, but some here are less than enthusiastic about their choices.

SOUNDBITE) (French) VOTER, 25-YEAR-OLD FANNY TROUVE SAYING:

"I voted for Francois Hollande because I have been a bit disappointed over the past five years with what has happened in France, with the decisions which have been taken. Therefore why not try a bit of a change."

Hollande - the Socialist candidate - plans to raise taxes, something that rankles other voters.

SOUNDBITE) (French) VOTER, 39-YEAR-OLD RAFAEL LAJEUNESSE, SAYING:

"As you know the vote is secret so I can't say who I voted for but I can say that I didn't vote for those who want to increase taxes significantly."

Still, most polls have Hollande leading incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy by double digits.

If those results hold, the two would face each other in a runoff next month.

Andrew Raven, Reuters