SO, the decision has been made.

Like it or not, Britain is heading for the European Union exit door.

The referendum vote locally pretty much mirrored the national result, with a slight majority opting to leave.

As you would imagine, given the polarisation of public and political opinion pre-ballot, the reaction to the outcome has been mixed.

Some are lauding it as a golden opportunity for Britain, while others predict disaster.

Whatever it pans out during the coming weeks and months, the district's business and civic leaders are quite right in their assertion that we must retain unity and push for swift action to end uncertainty in the wake of the seismic decision.