ELIN Jones AM has forecast the possible economic collapse of Ceredigion following the UK and Welsh vote to leave the EU.

In response to the result of the referendum on the UK’s membership of the European Union, Miss Jones, who is also Welsh Assembly presiding officer, said the vote has “far-reaching implications for the direction of our nation”.

But prominent Leave campaigner Dr Felix Aubel said he was delighted that Britain will once again become an independent self-governing country.

Miss Jones said: “Welsh interests and concerns must be taken on board through the coming months including the EU level negotiations and within the UK.

“I am personally devastated that Wales and the UK has voted to turn its back on the EU. It could well mean an economic collapse for areas such as Ceredigion so dependent on agricultural and economic support from the EU.

“The implications of such a vote are far-reaching and complex. I am particularly disappointed for our young people, who seem to have voted in far greater numbers for remaining in the EU. They will have to live with the consequences of this decision for far longer than most of us. Our future is now far more uncertain than it was even a week ago.

“The only shining light on a very bleak night for me was the Ceredigion result on the western periphery of Europe. I am proud to represent a county that wanted to see its future in Europe rather than out of it.”

Read the full story in this week’s south editions of the Cambrian News, available in shops and online on Wednesday