JUBILANT community leaders in Worcestershire have hailed Scotland saying 'no' after a day of high drama at the polls kept the UK intact.

This morning's rejection of Scottish independence was greeted with relief across the political spectrum, with Worcester MP Robin Walker insisting the nation has avoided "disaster".

The poll outcome also led to senior figures within Worcester Labour Party calling for rapid devolution to the English regions, a suggestion which city Tories say would be "terrible".

After weeks of fevered speculation, on a staggering 85 per cent turnout 1.9 million 'no' votes were cast, giving the better together camp 55 per cent, compared to 45 per cent who said 'yes', 1.5 million.

Mr Walker said: "After a long hard campaign the right decision has been reached and our historic union will be staying together.

"I am delighted that so many voters in Scotland recognised the advantages we have as a united country.

"A yes vote would have been a disaster not just for Scotland but the UK as a whole and I am grateful for the wise heads who quietly and without fanfare cast their votes for the union.

“It is absolutely right that our Prime Minister has committed to meet the concerns of those voters who wanted change and to address the needs not only of Scotland but of England, Wales and Northern Ireland too.

“Our British constitution is the envy of the world and rightly so.

“There is a great deal to preserve and to celebrate in it but it has reached this position it strength not by being set in stone but through a process of evolution. David Cameron is right when he says that process should continue.”

Worcester's Labour parliamentary candidate Councillor Joy Squires said she was "pleased" with the verdict, adding: "From today the UK Government must honour the commitment to further devolution of powers to the Scottish Parliament so people in Scotland and across the UK know promises made during the referendum campaign will be kept.

"That won’t be the end of the story though - I believe further devolution to Wales, Northern Ireland and the English regions will inevitably follow."

Other Labour figures, such as Councillor Paul Denham, said: "Personally I would like to see regional government in the UK where far more decisions are made closer to where people live, with less power in Westminster."

The call was described as "terrible" by Mr Walker, who said: "Labour has this agenda of trying to force the 'regions' on England, it's a terrible idea all round and would lead to us being governed by Birmingham.

"The fact Birmingham rejected our local plan (the South Worcestershire Development Plan) last year because it would create 'too many jobs' is a perfect example why it would be a bad idea."

Worcestershire MEP James Carver, who represents UKIP, said: "The way I see it Labour is just following the European line and looking to bring federalism to the regions.

"If we get devolution of course the centre will be in Birmingham, it won't be Coventry or Stoke-on-Trent and wherever it is, you will have people not happy.

"Labour is clearly wanting to create a regional system which is what they want in Europe, it's wrong.

"Just think of the extra costs to the public purse. Nigel Farage has been very clear on this."

Other politicians welcomed the result, with Councillor Chris Mitchell, cabinet member for finance at Worcester City Council, saying it "keeps the Great in Britain".

Nigel Huddleston, the Tories' parliamentary candidate for Mid-Worcestershire, said was "relieved and delighted", admitting he was "worried the break-up was going to happen."

Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond said he "accepted the democratic verdict of the people", describing it as evidence the country did not want independence" at this stage. Within the last hour he announced he was quitting as first minister.

WE NEED TO REVISIT THE ‘WEST LOTHIAN QUESTION’, SAYS MP

AN MP in Worcestershire who has campaigned for years to solve the infamous 'West Lothian Question' says the Scotland verdict should "usher in a new era" for UK politics.

Harriett Baldwin, who has consistently lobbied for change on the current status quo where Scottish MPs can vote on issues affecting only England, says the referendum outcome needs to be re-visited.

He call appears to be exactly in line with Prime Minister David Cameron, who yesterday said English people "must have a greater say" over how they are governed.

Mrs Baldwin said: "The people of Scotland have spoken and I am delighted that they have chosen to remain part of our United Kingdom.

"There is now much to do to learn from this and to work out how to advance the interests of each of the four countries in the UK.

"I've campaigned in Parliament both for a solution to the 'West Lothian Question' and for the implementation of the McKay Commission which was set up to resolve this specific issue.

“I look forward to being part of those discussions and hope we can help to usher in a new era."

Sir Peter Luff, who represents Mid-Worcestershire, has agreed by saying: " I am delighted that the Scottish people have chosen so decisively to remain a member of the family of nations in the United Kingdom. Their decision is good for Scotland and good for the rest of the United Kingdom. We are indeed better together.

“Our economy is mending but the job is not yet done, the threats to the stability of the Middle East needs to be focused upon and the menace of Russian expansionism need to be countered.

“There are major domestic challenges too – challenge such as sustaining the NHS at a time of an increasingly elderly population, ensuring the affordability of housing, securing our energy supplies and addressing the needs of the vulnerable - from exploited children to the needs of the disabled.

“All these challenges and more would have receive less attention than they demand if we had been distracted by the break-up of the United Kingdom.

“There is pressing issue that does now demand our attention - the governance of England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

"There is time to get this right, but the principle of English votes for English laws, which I have long advocated, needs to become a reality as soon as practicable."

WORCESTER GREEN PARTY UPSET AT THE OUTCOME

THE figurehead of Worcester Green Party stuck his neck out yesterday by revealing his anguish at the Scottish vote.

Louis Stephen, chairman of the city's green branch, which has grown in influence in recent years, claimed it was "a lost opportunity" for Scotland to break away.

"What a shame - this is a lost opportunity for Scotland," he said.

"It would have been a proud Scottish people deciding locally what is best for them and their nation.

"The yes camp fought a positive campaign offering a clear alternative that rejected neo-liberalism and the creeping privatisation imposed on them by a remote Westminster.

"The Scottish people by themselves would never have voted for the poll tax, 'bedroom tax' or allowed the NHS to slide slowly towards privatisation."

He was the only political figure in Worcester to criticise it outright yesterday.

Elsewhere, Councillor Marc Bayliss, deputy leader of Worcester City Council, said it was a "fantastic result for the people of the UK."

WE WELCOME THE VERDICT, SAY LEADING COUNTY TORIES

LEADING figures at Worcestershire County Council have welcomed the Scottish result - and say they want the UK's focus on shift away from London.

Councillor Anthony Blagg, who sits in the Conservative cabinet, said: "Well done Scotland, but be assured nobody in the United Kingdom likes the current constant London-centric view of the world."

Leader Councillor Adrian Hardman said: "I'm delighted to hear the result, but how do we get powers not to the West Midlands but to Worcestershire from Westminster."

Peter Pawsey, chairman of Worcestershire's Local Enterprise Partnership, said: "The rejection of the proposal for an independent Scotland is to be welcomed as it restores confidence and stability to the business and financial environment across the whole of UK including Worcestershire.

“Clearly there will be changes in the devolution of powers not only to Scotland but also to the rest of the UK, and this could potentially lead to more flexibility and freedoms for English companies if Government has the will to create specifically devolved powers also to an English ‘assembly’.

“The next few weeks and months will be interesting.”