SWINDON has voted in favour of leaving the European Union by 54.7 to 45.3 per cent.

It has long been considered to be a heavily Eurosceptic town and going into the count it was seen as a 'must win' area for the Leave campaign.

The town's two MPs were divided on the issue of our EU membership but the campaign has been notable for its civility in contrast to the national picture.

MP for North Swindon, Justin Tomlinson, did not actively campaign on the referendum but has written in his Adver columns that his instinct has always been to vote Leave.

Speaking after the result was announced in the early hours of Friday morning, he said: "We're very pleased - Swindon is a bellwether town, we were expecting to win perhaps by as little as two per cent and Swindon has gone more solidly to Leave.

"I'm proud that I fought to get that referendum and the public have done their part by turning out in droves."

Turnout in Swindon was 76 per cent, more than ten per cent up on the last General Election.

Mr Tomlinson added: "They key for me was having the high turnout because it gives the vote that credibility and authority."

On the other side of the town in South Swindon, Conservative MP Robert Buckland has been a prominent supporter of the campaign to Remain.

He has previously spoken about the challenge faced by the campaign in Swindon in overcoming a sense that Swindon was always going to vote to leave.

Earlier in the count, Mr Buckland said that a result with a margin of around ten per cent would be an impressive achievement for the Remain camp.

Reacting to the result, he said: " "First of all it was a fantastic turnout and I think it's great that people have taken this big decision seriously, gone away and thought about it and cast their vote - that is worthy of huge respect.

"The Swindon result is disappointing for me as someone who passionately supports our membership of the European Union.

"But, it's still significant that 45 per cent of people have voted for Remain - there is still a sizeable body of people in our town that thought it was better for our country to remain in the EU."

Both MPs were united in their determination to continue to work positively for Swindon whatever the national result.

Mr Tomlinson said: "Whatever the result tonight, we as MPs have to respect that the country will have spoken.

"We have a job to deliver whatever the result has set out - I'm confident that things will move on."