VOTERS across the Malvern Hills district turned out in force to vote for a British exit from the European Union.

In the early hours of Friday morning, the results for the authority was announced, with Leave taking a clear majority .

The result was calmly accepted by MP Harriett Baldwin, who backed the Remain campaign.

Ballot counters worked through the night at the Abbey Hotel, Malvern, to reach a declaration at 2.50am.

Turnout was high, with Malvern Hills recording that 80 per cent of the electorate had cast a vote, eight per cent above the national average.

Residents of the Malvern Hills voted to leave the EU by 25,294 votes to 23,203.

Mrs Baldwin was not at the count but later commented: "Overall, the UK has chosen to leave the European Union and we must now all respect that decision. I am one of the 48 per cent in Malvern Hills and the country as a whole who voted Remain."

Malvern Hills district councillor Douglas Godwin, for the Leave campaign, said: "I'm delighted. It is very pleasing and I'm very grateful for everybody that has come out and made democracy work."

Fellow district councillor Julian Roskams, for the Remain campaign, said: "I'm not particularly surprised.

"The towns have voted to remain and rural areas have voted to come out. Whichever way the vote goes there are a lot of issues to address."