The United Kingdom has voted to leave the European Union in a historic referendum.
The Leave campaign gained 52 % of the vote to Remain's 48 % after an unexpectedly high turn out at the polls yesterday, with 71.8% of the electorate casting their vote - the highest turn out since the 1992 general election.
Opinion polls released last night implied that the Remain campaign would succeed with a four point lead. However, as votes were counted, Brexit gained strong support across swathes of England and Wales. London, Scotland and Northern Ireland voted heavily in favour of staying in the EU.
After the referendum's outcome was confirmed, David Cameron announced his resignation, revealing that he will step down from his role as Prime Minister once a new leader for the Conservative Party is in place.
EU Referendum votes across the UK
England: Leave 53.4%, Remain 46.6%
Wales: Leave 52.5%, Remain 47.5%
Scotland: Leave 38%, Remain 62%
Northern Ireland: Leave 42.2%, Remain 55.8%
How many people voted in the EU Referendum?
72.2% of the electorate turned out to vote - that's 33.6 million people, the highest electoral turn out since 1992.
Referendum results - by age
Poling analysis reveals that the younger generation of 18-to-25 year olds voted strongly in favour of the EU, with 60% supporting the Remain camp. Older voters, meanwhile, swayed heavily towards Brexit, with 48 % of 50-64-year-olds and 60% of over 65s voting for a break with Brussels.
When will Britain leave the EU?
Brexit will by no means take place immediately. Firstly, the Prime Minister needs to invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, after which it will take at least two years for the UK to formally leave the European Union. In the mean time, the UK will still be subject to EU laws and treaties, but will not be involved in the decision making processes at Brussels.
READ MORE: Opinion: Brexit Proves Britain Is A Small Island, Getting Smaller