Brighton and Hove voters made history today, saying an emphatic no to plans for a directly elected city mayor.

The No campaign won the day with 37,214 votes, against 22,724 in favour of a directly-elected mayor.

Work will now start to put a committee system of city government into effect for the new municipal year in May next year.

The result of the postal referendum was announced after the count at the Brighton Centre shortly after 11.30am.

Francis Tonks, leader of the No campaign, said: "I see this very strong 'No' as a victory for democracy and a victory for the people of Brighton and Hove, who want to keep power in their own hands and were unwilling to put it in the hands of a mayor."

Brian Oxley, leader of the city council's Tory opposition, said: "This is a great day for democracy. We can now get a system into place ending uncertainty.

"There will also be an end to unnecessary constitutional upheaval and we can concentrate on solving local problems for local people."

Council leader Ken Bodfish, who remains in post, said: "It is steady as she goes.

"We will respond to the wishes of the electorate and a committee system will be put into place."

Lib Dem group leader Paul Elgood said the result was a major victory for local democracy.

Green convenor Keith Taylor said: "This will involve more ordinary people in the running of the town and is a victory for common sense."

Bus company chief Roger French, who chaired the Yes for City Mayor group, said he was pleased with the positive campaign it ran.

But he added: "I am disappointed people didn't vote for an elected mayor. We now have to respond to the democratic result and pull together to make sure a streamlined committee system will really work."

The turnout in the postal referendum was 59,938 - 31.6 per cent - which was higher than recent polls elsewhere in the country.

Councillor Bodfish said: "This shows that people are interested in debating how the city council should be run. We always said that this was the people's choice and that has been made clear."

Last night people in Hartlepool, Lewisham London Borough and North Tyneside delivered a majority Yes vote for a directly elected mayor in postal ballots.

In North Tyneside the result showed a majority of almost 8,000 in favour of an elected mayor.

The outcome was much closer in the other two polls.

Referendum results are also due today in Middlesbrough and Sedgefield, in County Durham.

For full background to the mayor debate, visit our Local Issues section by clicking the link at the left of the page