David Cameron to resign as Prime Minister
The UK has voted to leave the European Union after 43 years in a historic referendum
Leave has won by 52% to 48%
East of England votes to Leave by nearly 57% to 43%
Value of the pound falls to its lowest level since 1985
It's been a massive day for British - and European - politics.
The nation has voted for a Brexit and prime minister David Cameron has announced he is to resign.
Scroll through our page below to see all the reaction from across Beds, Herts, Bucks and Northants.
Alex Pope
BBC Local Live
"We're now seeing the death of the European Union because other nations will now want to get out."
Those are the views of the former Labour MP for St Albans.
Kerry Pollard says he "determinedly" voted to stay in and is proud of his former constituents for voting to Remain.
After today's announcement to leave the EU he says it "could be the start of the end".
Image source, Getty Images
Pete Cooper
BBC Local Live
Andy Sawford, the former Labour MP for Corby, and a campaigner for the UK to remain in the EU, has backed Andrea Leadsom as Britain's next prime minister.
He said although he "disagrees with her politics" he could see the South Northamptonshire MP in the position.
Image source, BBC/Getty ImagesMr Sawford, who lost his seat at the 2015 election, said Ms Leadsom, who was prominent in the Leave camapign, was "nice" and "constructive" and there was no reason why she couldn't lead the Conservative Party.
Kate Bradbrook
BBC Look East
Shoppers and stall holders at Luton market have told me "they're glad," but an "uncertain" time is ahead of them after the country voted to come out of the EU.
Andrew Sinclair
BBC Look East political correspondent
If any party is out of touch with its supporters in the region it is Labour.
Norwich and Cambridge did vote remain, but in other traditional Labour strongholds like Harlow, Basildon, Ipswich, Peterborough, Northampton and Great Yarmouth - which recorded the fifth highest leave vote in the country - the party's supporters backed Brexit in large numbers.
With another election looming, Labour will need to make it a priority to reconnect with its supporters in the East.
Those who won this referendum will be expected to tackle immigration and restore trust in politics - quickly.
Andrew Sinclair
BBC Look East political correspondent
You only had to spend a few days on the campaign trail or go along to some of the well attended public meetings to see that deep down there was a lot of anger.
Anger about immigration and the pressures people believe it puts on public services and anger with politicians.
Image source, PAToo often I heard people complain "politicians don't understand us and they don't keep their word".
There appears to have been a complete breakdown of trust in and respect for the political establishment and every time it issued another warning about the dangers of leaving the EU, it seemed to embolden a few more people to decide to vote Leave.
Andrew Sinclair
BBC Look East political correspondent
The warnings could not have been greater: 300,000 jobs at risk in the East of England, the loss of millions of pounds of new investment, damage to the region's status as a world leader in science and research.
But despite all this the East sent a very clear message: "We've had enough of the EU, we want out".
The shock among remain campaigners in the region is palpable.
They knew we were Eurosceptic, they were expecting a strong showing for Leave, but thought more than four areas in the East would back remain and didn't see the national result coming.
Kate Bradbrook
BBC Look East
I've been speaking to a clothing stall holder at Luton indoor market, who is happy the country voted to leave the EU.
Pirmjit Sohal told me the main issue for him in the referendum was the influx of people coming in from Europe without visa and "taking all the jobs".
He said: "I think in the long term it will be better for the country having control over our own borders and the economy."
Alex Pope
BBC Local Live
"Only a fool would suggest that we leave Europe straight away."
These are the views of Dr Richard Heffernan, a reader in Government at the Milton Keynes based Open University.
He was speaking after Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn said this morning that the PM should invoke Article 50 - to leave the EU - immediately.
Image source, Getty ImagesQuote MessageIf you believe that you are not fit be to a member of Parliament, let alone a leader of a political party."
Dr Richard Heffernan, Reader in Government at the Open University.
There will be no immediate changes to any European research funding or programmes for current and joining students, research colleagues and staff at the University of Hertfordshire as a result of the Brexit decision.
That's according to the vice chancellor of the university of Hertfordshire, Prof Quintin McKellar, who said he wants anyone thinking of joining the university to proceed with their application.
He added the British Council will be issuing guidance on Erasmus programmes shortly.
Image source, Dr Duncan Pepper/GeographFormer Labour cabinet minister Ben Bradshaw has called on leader Jeremy Corbyn to "do the honourable thing and step down".
He said Mr Corbyn's leadership had been "abysmal" and described the EU referendum result as "a catastrophic defeat".
Alex Pope
BBC Local Live
The MEP for the East of England, Vicky Ford, who was a Remain supporter, has told us that scheduled meetings of the Parliamentary Committees for Monday have been cancelled.
On Tuesday, there will be an extraordinary plenary session of the full European parliament to debate the referendum.
Image source, Getty ImagesShe's confirmed the final results of the negotiations will be voted on by the European Parliament, including UK MEPs.
Also, there could be a change in the order of the incoming Presidencies of the Council, so the UK doesn't take up in it's Presidency in the latter half of 2017, as it could coincide with the negotation process.
Alex Pope
BBC Local Live
On Wednesday, the Remain campaign visited Airbus Defence and Space in Stevenage to campaign for votes in the EU referendum.
At the time the company's president Paul Khan said Britain needed to be in Europe so his company could "explore the world and space" by working together with French and German colleagues.
Today he's released a statement saying he's "disappointed" and Airbus will "study the longer term consequences of this decision on the competitive environment".
Image source, Airbus GroupPete Cooper
BBC Local Live
For those thinking a "Brexit" would lead to immediate change, Conservative MEP for the East Midlands, Emma McClarkin, warned the negotiation to take leave the European Union would "take some time".
She also said she was "very sad" the prime minster has resigned...
Pete Cooper
BBC Local Live
Emma McClarkin is a Conservative MEP for the East Midlands.
She backed the UK to leave the EU, and has now said this is a "a historic day"...
Jane Killick
BBC Three Counties Radio
Away from the EU referendum, we've just had some news from Berkhamsted, where police have revealed two people have been found dead at a house.
Hertfordshire Police and paramedics went into the property in Highfield Road at 11:30 yesterday following reports of concern for the welfare of two people.
They were pronounced dead at the scene and police are currently treating their deaths as unexplained.
Alex Pope
BBC Local Live
The accounting firm PwC, which has an office in Milton Keynes, has come out to say UK businesses are adaptable and innovative.
It has confirmed it is working with clients in the area to contemplate the impact of Brexit.
Image source, PwCQuote MessageThere will be significant uncertainty over the coming months... and business confidence may be impacted."
Matthew Hammond, Regional chairman at PwC in the Midlands
Alex Pope
BBC Local Live
The Luton based company Monarch says as it has no EU bases and 85% of customers are UK citizens, it will be "less affected" by today's news than other airlines.
It has confirmed changes in consumer confidence, the exchange rate and anticipated short term shocks to the economy will impact the company.
The airline says it'll work with trade industry bodies like BATA and ABTA on possible changes to air fares and competition issues and will raise them with the Government.
Reality Check
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Reality Check team answers your questions about passports, EHIC, visas and whether EU nationals will be allowed to stay in the UK.
The short answer is that almost nothing will change until the negotiations to leave the European Union have been completed.
Alex Pope
BBC Local Live
In a joint statement, Milton Keynes MPs Iain Stewart and Mark Lancaster have said the vote to leave the EU "was a huge exercise of democracy and it is important that we accept the majority view" as there are many "challenges and huge opportunities ahead".
Image source, M J Richardson/GeographQuote MessageWe now need a time of stability and both us will be working to ensure Milton Keynes economy continues to be successful."
Iain Stewart and Mark Lancaster, Milton Keynes MPs