UK referendum result expected around breakfast time on Friday

Sunderland is expected to report the first result around 12.30 a.m.

Counting in the UK referendum will begin after the polls close at 10 p.m. on Thursday

The outcome of today'sUK referendum on European Union membership is expected to be announced by Britain's chief counting officer in Manchester Town Hall around breakfast time tomorrow morning.

With polls suggesting the referendum could go either way, voting is now underway at 382 counts in 216 venues across Britain and Northern Ireland.

Polls will close at 10 p.m. withthe first referendum results expected just after midnight while a majority of the 382 counts ...