The £180,000 question: Bath and North East Somerset mayoral referendum

Voters in Bath and North East Somerset have firmly voted to keep the current system of a leader chosen by fellow councillors.

All the political parties, and the area's two MPs, had opposed the change to an elected mayoral system, such as that held in Bristol by George Ferguson.

Cllr Tim Warren says the low turnout was "a shame" - but that few people seemed to be interested in the idea of a mayor.

He's promised to do his best for everyone, including the 8000 people who wanted to change the system:

Voters in Bath and North East Somerset have decisively rejected the idea of having an elected mayor.

In a referendum where there was a 29 per cent turnout, only 8000 voted for the change, while more than 30,000 wanted to keep the current system of a leader chosen by fellow councillors.

All the political parties, and the area's two MPs, had opposed the change.

We caught up with mayoral campaigner Phil Raby to get his response:

More than 38,000 votes were cast in the mayoral referendum across Bath and North East Somerset - but not a strong showing from the students of Bath Spa it seems.

Our political correspondent was at the count- where one ballot box was delivered with just a single lonely vote...

The people of Bath and North East Somerset have voted decisively against having an elected mayor like Bristol's George Ferguson or London's Boris Johnson.

The referendum had a 29% turnout, with only eight thousand people voting to have an elected mayor. More than thirty thousand voted to keep the current system of a leader chosen by fellow councillors.

All the political parties, and the area's two MPs, had opposed the change - and the news has been welcome on social media this morning.

Whatever the reaction, the result doesn't come as a surprise.

The people of Bath and North East Somerset have chosen not to have an elected mayor in a decisive referendum result which saw around 4/5ths of voters go against the proposition.

Voters in Bath and North East Somerset have chosen not to have an elected mayor for the region.

It comes after more than 5% of the electorate signed a petition calling for the vote. In total the campaign has cost around £180,000.

The result means that the current system will remain in place. Bath and North East Somerset Council is led by a leader elected by councillors, with a team of senior cabinet members to help make decisions for the region.

A result is expected any moment on whether the people of Bath and North East Somerset will choose to have an elected mayor.

Our political correspondent Bob Constantine is at the count, where it looks like the campaign against creating the position will win the day.

Voters in Bath and North East Somerset have been heading to the ballot boxes to decide if they want an elected mayor.

The council is currently run by a cabinet and leader. If BANES votes for an elected mayor, another election will be held later in the year.

The count for the Referendum will be held at the University of Bath, on Thursday 10 March, starting at 10pm after voting closes.