The result of the referendum on whether there should be a directly-elected mayor will be announced on Friday at about noon.

It will be declared at the Brighton Centre where the count will begin earlier that morning.

Yesterday was the last day when people in Brighton and Hove could post their referendum papers back to the city council.

But they will still be able to deliver papers by hand to either Brighton or Hove town halls all day today between 9am and 9pm.

If electors vote Yes, an election for the mayor will be held on the first Thursday in May next year.

If they say No, the council will introduce an improved version of the old committee system.

In neither case will the present experimental system of having a leader and Cabinet remain.

A council help line set up to deal with voters' inquiries received more than 1,200 calls in the five days after ballot papers were sent out.