VOTERS across the districts of Malvern Hills and Wychavon turned out in force to vote for a British exit from the European Union.

In the early hours of Friday morning, the results for both authorities were announced, with Leave taking a clear majority in each area.

The result has been calmly accepted by MPs for the two districts, who both backed the Remain campaign.

Ballot counters worked through the night at the Abbey Hotel, Malvern, and Pershore Leisure Centre, to reach declaration at 2.50am and 4.20am respectively.

Turn out in each area was high, with Wychavon standing nine per cent above the national average at 81 per cent, and Malvern Hills recording 80 per cent of the electorate had cast a vote.

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

Harriett Baldwin, MP for West Worcestershire, 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."

Speaking immediately after the announcement, 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."

Over in Wychavon, a high voter turn out meant counters worked later into the night, eventually announcing Leave had won by 44,201 votes to 32,188.

Nigel Huddleston, MP for Mid Worcestershire, attended the count and later said: "This is a momentous decision for the country and a key moment in our nation’s history.

"It was not the result I personally wanted, but I respectfully accept the will of the majority of the British public.

"I am concerned that we will face some economic uncertainty and market volatility, but Britain is a strong and resilient country and I hope the economic shock will be short lived.

"As an MP I now have the awesome responsibility to work with my colleagues in parliament and in government to ensure that the UK gets the best deal possible for the UK as we renegotiate our future relationship with Europe.

"This will not be an easy task and may take several years to complete. The British public will need to be patient as we iron out the details of Brexit and we may not get everything that was promised by the Brexit campaigners during the referendum campaign."

The former mayor of Droitwich, councillor Graham Beale, was at the count and said: "I'm absolutely delighted and excited over the fact that we managed to achieve something we didn't think would happen."

Speaking moments before the result was declared, former MEP for the West Midlands and Remain campaigner, Liz Lynne said a Brexit would be a "disaster."

She said: "If we leave I think it will be absolutely a disaster, not for me personally, but for young people, for jobs, for the economy, for inward investment.

"I'm fearful about the rise of the far right, and fearful about the xenophobia and racism. If there is a break up of the EU, I think it will be horrendous for everyone."

* See how the events unfolded across Worcester and the rest of Britain HERE