READING declared itself in favour of remaining in Europe on Friday morning. 

43,385 people voted for remain, 31,382 for leave and 59 spoiled their ballots. 

In percentage terms, that translates as 58. per cent in against 42 per cent out. 

74,826, or 72.5 per cent, of Reading citizens turned out to cast their ballot out of 103,166 eligible voters.

At 3.45am, several hours before the overall national vote was expected, counters in the Rivermead Lesiure Complex declared the result. 

The announcement followed two hours of counting, with ballot verification finishing at 1.43am. 

The result was slightly less positive than predications made by James Gilmore, campaign organiser for the remain camp in Berkshire. 

Speaking on Thursday afternoon, Mr Gilmore predicated a 60/40 split in Reading in favour of remain. 

Although votes are being returned by constituency, each individual vote counts equally on a national level.