Cheshire West and Chester has voted to leave the European Union in the UK's historic referendum .
Results gave leave a 50.6% share of the vote in the borough, which followed the trend across the country as the Vote Leave campaign defied the polls to claim victory on a momentous night in British politics.
The UK finally had its say after months of campaigning on June 23, with the question posed to voters if they would like to remain a part of the EU, or leave.
Polling stations closed their doors at 10pm and the wait began.
Follow live updates as the EU referendum results continue to come in
After the hundreds of ballot boxes were brought in, counters beavered away to tally the votes at Ellesmere Port Sports Village.
The Cheshire West result was announced just before 6am.
Leave votes totalled 98,082 (50.6%) with Remain trailing on 95,455 (49.4%). There were 96 rejected ballots.
There was a strong turnout of 74.5% in the borough with 193,633 votes cast out of an eligible 259,878.
Nationally the picture continues to emerge in favour of the Vote Leave campaign, with major outlets declaring them the winners. An official result is expected at about 7am from Manchester Town Hall.
UKIP leader Nigel Farage has already given his victory speech, declaring it UK 'Independence Day'.
Frank Samuel, chairman of Chester UKIP branch, said: "I would just like to thank everybody for voting to leave the EU. I think they made a very sensible decision.
"And I think they will love that decision for years to come and they will look back on tonight and say 'yes' this was the right decision for the next generation.
"And they are looking forward not only for their children but their grandchildren.
"I'm very pleased to be a part of it and yes, let us celebrate and enjoy what we have got; we are British after all.
"Let us celebrate all the great things Britain has got to offer."
Neighbouring council areas boroughs Cheshire East, Halton and Flintshire also voted to leave, while Wirral had Remain by a narrow margin.
In response to the backing of Brexit by the electorate, the value of the pound has fallen to its lowest point since 1985.
Each of Cheshire West's four MPs; Chris Matheson (Chester, Labour), Justin Madders (Ellesmere Port and Neston, Labour), Graham Evans (Weaver Vale, Conservative) and Antoinette Sandbach (Eddisbury, Conservative) had each laid out their support for staying in the EU.
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