Voters in Epsom and Ewell delivered a resounding no to the introduction of AV on Thursday.

The result, which was announced on Friday evening after the local election count, recorded a majority 17,741 for the no camp.

Only 7,240 people voted yes.

Lib Dem councillor Anna Jones, who campaigned for the yes camp, described the result as very disappointing.

She said: “A lot of people that I spoke to wanted a change to the system, they just didn’t think AV was the right choice.

“This is not a vote in favour of first past the post, many people wanted a more proportional system.”

MP Chris Grayling said: “I am really pleased that so many people backed the no campaign.

“It was always the wrong thing to do to change the electoral system.”

The final result put the yes vote at 32.1% and the no vote at 67.9%.

Some 19.1m people voted in the second UK-wide referendum in history - a higher than expected turnout of 41%.