Voters in Great Yarmouth have decided resoundingly they want to change the way councillors are elected.

https://twitter.com/GeorgeMRyan/status/913745086948806656

Voters decided by 16,519 votes to 7,213 to change to whole council elections.

With nearly 70pc of the votes cast calling for change, it is a decisive result.

Nearly a third of voters took part to have their say on the way councillor are elected to Great Yarmouth Borough Council.

The total number of postal votes received by the town hall, before the 5pm deadline on September 28, was 23,934 out of 73,236 sent out, around a 32pc turnout.

Eastern Daily Press: The Yarmouth local referendum count 2017. Photo: George RyanThe Yarmouth local referendum count 2017. Photo: George Ryan (Image: Archant)

The turnout was roughly the number of people who vote in a borough council election.

Borough council chief executive Shelia Oxtoby said it was a good turnout.

MORE: What is the Great Yarmouth referendum about?

The question put to voters was 'Should the council change its election cycle to whole council elections every 4 years or retain the existing system of election by thirds?'

Eastern Daily Press: The Yarmouth local referendum count 2017. Photo: George RyanThe Yarmouth local referendum count 2017. Photo: George Ryan (Image: Archant)

The cost to the taxpayer of holding the referendum was £29,750.

It is non-binding meaning councillors still have the final say at a meeting of the full council at a later date.