BRITAIN has voted to leave the European Union in a historic referendum which has thrown Westminster politics into disarray and sent the pound tumbling on the world markets.

In a closely-fought contest, the Leave camp passed the winning post of 16,757,766 with eight of the 382 voting areas still to declare, heading for an overall majority of 52% to 48%.

Ukip leader Nigel Farage declared that June 23 should "go down in history as our independence day", while Vote Leave's chair, the Labour MP Gisela Stuart, said it was "our opportunity to take back control of a whole area of democratic decisions".

Winchester voted 58.9 per cent to remain and MP Steve Brine urged against quick action.

He said: "Winchester may have voted, by some margin, to remain but the country overall did not and the people of this country have clearly chosen a different course.

"It's never a good idea in my opinion for Governments to act out of panic.

"What we need now is a period of calm and reflection that leads to an orderly exit as we implement the will of the British people.

"That, and doing whatever we as a Parliament can do to cushion the most vulnerable from the financial turbulence that will surely now follow, should be the focus of every single MP."

In Winchester 42,878 voted remain against 29,886 (41.1 per cent) who voted leave. The turnout was 81.2 per cent.

Sterling suffered one of its biggest plunges in the overnight markets, hitting lows last seen in 1985 and losing more than 10% against the US dollar, as traders responded with panic to the prospect of the UK quitting the European Union after 43 years.

With Prime Minister David Cameron expected to address the nation from Downing Street before financial markets opened, Labour said he should "seriously consider his position", while Mr Farage said he should resign immediately after voters rejected his passionately-expressed advice to stay in the EU.

Bank of England Governor Mark Carney is expected to make a statement after Mr Cameron.

Most East Hampshire voters chose to remain in the European Union. A total of 73,971 people voted, a turnout of 81.7 per cent - 10 per cent higher than the 71.1 per cent turnout in the 2015 General Election. The district saw 37,346 voting to remain, while 36,576 voted to leave the EU. The election also saw more postal votes used than ever before. In total 17,164 postal votes were requested and 15,417 votes were returned, a turnout of 90%. More to follow