JOYFUL cheers and clapping rang out in Skipton town hall at 2.30am this morning when Paul Shevlin, the Craven ward counting officer, announced victory for the out camp in the European Union referendum.

But it was a close-run battle, with the Brexit brigade notching up 18,961 votes compared to the 16,930 polled by the remain camp.

The 81 per cent turnout of the electorate – there were 35,907 votes cast in all – was being spoken of as a record.

And it mirrored comments coming from polling stations, where many were witnessing a steady flow of voters all day.

Passions about the referendum were running so high that many who voted were understood to have been novices – both young and old – and needed to be shown in detail the procedure required to make their cross.

Once the voting slips had been verified by about 12.45am, the count commenced, the ‘tellers’ working at ten desks and the process taking about one-and-a-half hours to complete.

Anthony Smith, from Cowling, who had been canvassing for Brexit since the campaign began, said: "We are delighted with the result.

“I thought it was going to be closer but believed we'd win.

"I've been out every Saturday speaking to people and this result has reflected the views I was getting – something like 60-40 for leaving."

More reaction to come.