There were 111,000 votes cast in the poll on options for change in local government in Somerset – and 65.3 per cent chose the two-council option, ‘Stronger Somerset’.

The county council, which refused to take part in the campaign to find people’s preference, supported One Somerset – a single authority for the whole county – for which 34.7 per cent voted.

The poll was independently run and verified by Civica Electoral Services. The result will now be sent to the Secretary of State.

In Somerset West and Taunton, the result was 61.7 per cent in favour of Stronger Somerset and 38.3 per cent wanted One Somerset.

The result was streamed live on Monday afternoon, when each of the four district council leaders expressed their disappointment that the county council did not participate.