IT HAS been decided. The United Kingdom has voted OUT of the European Union.

Despite the result in one of the most important votes in the country’s history, residents of Winchester were not in a celebratory mood.

The city voted to stay in the union by almost 13,000 voters, but this view was not shared by the rest of the country.

The national turnout was 72.2 per cent - 33,551,983 people.

Winchester resident and IN supporter Charlotte Butler told the Chronicle she is scared what the future could hold for her children.

“I’m worried about what could be in store for us,” she said.

“My main worry is that it is going to affect my children and their children rather than me.”

Hampshire Chronicle:

Remain campainers next to King Alfred's statue yesterday

Fellow resident, Julian Normans shared Ms Butler’s concerns.

“It is only a matter of time until we regret this decision in my opinion,” he said.

“Let’s hope there’s a happy ending from all this.”

However, one Hampshire business leader says Brexit might be good news for small companies concerned about over regulation from Brussels but growth will be affected in several keys areas of the region’s economy.

But Stewart Dunn, Hampshire Chamber Chief Executive, said that engineering, aerospace and marine sectors, all big employers in the county, now faced uncertainty.

He added: “Some of our members, who have long harboured legitimate concerns about Brussels power and red tape, will be happy.

"Among them will be owners of many small and medium-sized businesses.

“We understand the frustrations they have had and we hope the future is more benign.

"For those who voted to remain however, including no doubt those many Hampshire exporters who trade across the EU and have been putting off investment decisions, the referendum result is a painful blow.

“Hampshire has very strong links to Europe through its geographic proximity, two major sea ports and regional airport. Growth strategies in a number of our sectors, including engineering, aerospace and marine, are certainly going to be affected but the full extent is unclear. “ “What the business community needs now is a clear plan to stabilise markets and support the economy during the coming transition period.

"Equally, the government needs to ensure there are free trade deals in place, with Europe and elsewhere, that really do deliver.”

Hampshire Chronicle:

Leave campaingers next to the Buttercross yesterday

Mr Dunn said that the chamber, which works with more than 2,000 individual firms spanning all sectors and sizes of business, had maintained a neutral stance during the referendum campaign but would continue sharing essential information with its members on how decisions in Westminster would affect Hampshire businesses.

Nevertheless, other voters were buoyed by the result.

Derek Simpson, of Stanmore Road, was delighted the country is "finally free”.

“We’ve done it,” he proclaimed.

“Today is our independence day. We are finally free from the EU.

“I am very happy with the result.”