HALTON residents joined the majority of people in Britain and voted to quit the EU.

Almost 60 per cent of people living in Widnes and Runcorn backed the Leave campaign

Results announced at the Select Security Stadium shortly after 3.30am revealed that 37, 327 votes supported leaving the EU while 27, 678 opted to remain.

The turnout of 68.26 per cent was slightly lower than the national figure of 72 per cent.

Across the country 17, 410, 742 voters backed the Leave campaign compared to 16, 141,241 for Remain.

UKIP deputy leader Paul Nuttall and MEP for the north west said: ”This is a momentous day which will go down in the annals of history. It is the day we got our country back and put the Great back in to Britain.

“We now have the chance to take control of our own destiny and borders and we can be good neighbours with the European Union rather than tenants.

“I always believed that we could do well vote to leave but the margin has been tremendous and in the north west it was almost two to one to quit the EU - a fantastic result. 

“The result of this referendum will shape the direction our country will take in the first half of this century. We will be outward looking rather than inwards and we will be a global player signing our own trade deals with emerging economies.”

Halton Council leader Cllr Rob Polhill said: “My main concern is how do we now get the best deal not just for the country but for Halton.

“Halton has done well over the years with European money which targeted poorer areas.

“It has helped us with regeneration and various other projects which have sustained and created jobs.

“We will be fighting hard to make sure Halton doesn’t lose out.

Halton MP Derek Twigg said: “I backed Remain because the risk of leaving the EU in terms of the economy, peace and security was too great.

“But now people have spoken we’ve got to respect their decision and work hard as politicians to get the best deal for Halton and the country outside Europe.”

Runcorn MP Graham Evans said: “I was a reluctant inner. I believed that we were safer, stronger and more secure as part of a reformed Europe.

“To his credit David Cameron fought this campaign with all his blood, sweat and tears.

“Now we need to work together to secure the best deal for Britain. To bring stability to the markets at home and abroad and to champion investment in our great country.”

In a mock referendum, 61 per cent of Halton businesses voted to stay in the EU.

Paula Cain, chief executive of Halton Chamber of Commerce, said: “We face challenging times but if we all pull together under strong leadership we can find opportunities for our businesses.”

Dean Drinkwater, managing director of Widnes firm Hutchinson Engineering, said: “We would have preferred to stay in Europe because we export.

“The big worry for us now is uncertainty.

“We are in a strong financial position but we buy a lot of raw materials from Europe which will become more expensive. It just makes you more cautious.”