Britain will need to “hold steadfast to its values” as it prepares to leave the European Union following yesterday’s vote, Sutton’s council leader has warned.

The Leave campaign emerged victorious nationally with almost 52 per cent of the vote.

Although London mostly defied the national trend, the majority of Sutton voters came out in favour of leaving the union - by a margin of 54 per cent to 46 per cent remain votes.

Paul Scully, the Conservative MP for Sutton and Cheam who campaigned for Brexit, said he was “very, very pleased” the borough voted Leave.

He said: “I was hopeful that the people of Sutton would vote leave, and I am very, very pleased they turned up and share my views on being able to control immigration in a fair way.

“And the turn-out was significantly higher than last year’s general election which suggests people were motivated to come out who wouldn’t usually.”

The total number of ballot papers counted in the borough was 106630.

Prime Minister David Cameron announced his resignation this morning, after the Leave campaign emerged on top with almost 52 per cent of the vote.

Related: Prime Minister David Cameron to RESIGN as Britain votes to leave the European Union

His Conservative colleague Mr Scully added: “I am disappointed because he has been a great prime minister, despite disagreeing with him on this.

“But I suppose we knew there was going to be a time for his resignation following a leave vote.”

Leader of Sutton Council, Liberal Democrat Cllr Ruth Dombey, fears Britain's choice to split from Europe will make it difficult to tackle its economic and environmental challenges – though she said “only time will tell”.

She said: "For Sutton residents like me who campaigned to Remain in the EU this is clearly a disappointing result.

"I fear it will make it harder to meet the economic, social and environmental challenges we all face in our global society but time will only tell.

The vote to leave displays “deep divisions” within the country, she added.

She said: “We need to find new ways of coming together, listening and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to achieve their aspirations.

"We will soon enter into a significant negotiation about our withdrawal from the EU and what our new relationship will be with Europe and the rest of the world.

"I am determined - more than ever - that we should hold steadfast to our values so that Britain keeps its place and its reputation in the world."

Greater London Assembly (GLA) member for Sutton and Croydon Steve O'Connell said a Brexit vote was a "victory for democracy".

He said: "I'm delighted. The people of the country have spoken. I believe strongly that Britain's future will be stronger out of Europe, and I'm really pleased the country as a whole has that view."

“I'm delighted the people of Sutton voted in that manner."

But he added: "This is something that is bigger than individual boroughs - it's important for our children and our grandchildren".

“On this election I never expect anything, I genuinely didn't know how this was going to play out.”

As sterling dropped to a 30-year low against the US dollar and share prices plummeted Cllr O'Connell remained confident about Britain's economic future.

He said: "Both sides of the fence knew there was going to be an initial dip.

“The markets don't like uncertainty - but now the markets kind of do have more certainty.

He added: "[During the campaign] some of the conversations and atmosphere have not been good. A lot of that has resulted [in] scaremongering...particularly the remain side.

"[But need to] move away from that...I will certainly be having a pint with colleagues tonight who voted the other way."

Chairman of UKIP in Sutton, Bill Main-Ian, had tears in his eyes during the official announcement at 4am this morning.

He said: “I didn’t hear the whole result, as there was a deafening cheer from the team behind my wheelchair.

“People were hugging and shaking hands, and I was rained with kisses - I felt a level of emotion I had not expected, and had tears in my eyes.”

Mr Main-Ian added that the result was a victory for UKIP, as the pressure from the party for a referendum was “taken on board across the political landscape”.

He said: “I started thinking about what the country can now do and the problems that can be solved, and the huge task in creating a better life for the people, the common working people, all around the country.

“None of this could have happened without the pressure for a referendum that was begun by UKIP and taken on board across the political landscape.”

Tom Brake, Liberal Democrat MP for Carshalton and Wallington, who campaigned for a remain vote, has been approached for comment.