VOTERS across the Fylde coast mirrored the resounding ‘no’ vote across the country in the referendum on electoral reform.

Voters were asked whether the vot- ing system in Britain should be changed from the current ‘first past the post’ system to an ‘alternative vote’.

Turnout in Blackpool was just 36.8 per cent, with 30,343 voting ‘no’ and 10,544 voting ‘yes’ to plans to change to the proposed system, giving the ‘yes’ vote a 74.21 per cent share.

On a turnout of 44.26 per cent in Wyre, the ‘no’ vote registered 28,829 votes - a 76.69 per cent share - with just 8,763 votes for ‘yes’.

And voters in Fylde also voted ‘no’ in the referendumon changing theway that Britain chooses its MPs.

On a turnout of 44.6 per cent, 20,727 - 76.4 per cent - voted ‘no’ while just 6,413 - voted ‘yes’ – to the alternative vote.

Today, David Cameron and Nick Clegg insisted their coalition will continue, despite the humiliation handed out to Liberal Democrats in the elections and the referendum on voting reform.

The Deputy Prime Minister admitted the result was “a bitter blow” for the Liberal Democrats, who campaigned for the referendumas part of the party’s election manifesto..

Speaking after the AV result became clear, the Prime Minister accepted the referendum campaign - which saw vitriolic exchanges between cabinet ministers on opposing sides of the debate - had been “difficult” for the Government.

But he added: “The coalition agree- ment set out that we were going to ask the British people a very straightforward question and they have given the most clear and resounding answer.”

Former Liberal Democrat leader Lord Ashdown, insisted the third party will stay the five-year course and added: “We will continue working together.”