Newcastle gunning to beat Sunderland in race to declare EU Referendum
Newcastle is aiming to pip its rival Sunderland to the post and declare the first result in the EU Referendum tonight.
Sunderland has long prided itself on declaring the first results on election nights, bringing in millions of pounds of free publicity as the eyes of the world fall on the city.
But Newcastle is pulling out all the stops and aiming to declare around midnight, according to sources at the count in Tyneside. Sunderland's initial expected declaration time was about 12.30am.
Sunderland is expected to deliver a result in favour of Leave, Newcastle is expected to be strongly for Remain.
Both are Labour councils.