BRECON and Radnorshire "played its part" in Britain’s break-up with the EU, according to Neil Hamilton.

The Ukip AM called the result a "wonderful day" for Wales and also said he believes more people will support separation from the economic union within a year.

The former Conservative MP, who made his political comeback when he was elected Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales in May, said: "It is a wonderful day for Wales and indeed for democracy. I’ve been fighting this battle for nearly half a century since I joined the anti common market league when I was a pupil at Amman Valley Grammar School.

"Wales has played a full part in the leave result as did Brecon and Radnorshire where we had a very good result.

"It is striking that Wales is of little difference from England, compared to Scotland which is very different for various historical reasons. England and Wales are to all intents and purposes indistinguishable in their Euro-scepticism.

"I think the out vote would have been much bigger but for the scaremongering, I think this time next year there will be a bigger percentage of people happy to be out of the EU."

Across the UK 52% of voters backed leave, against 48% remain, with a similar result across Wales. In Powys leave had 53% of the vote to 46% for remain.

Mr Hamilton said he didn’t believe farmers, who currently receive subsidies from the EU, had anything to fear.

"In particular there is no reason for farm subsidies to be any less than they are, they may even raise them so we can improve farm support.

"We have the opportunity to take back control of our own affairs and can make decisions in our own interests."

Mr Hamilton said he was unsure if David Cameron’s resignation meant there should be a general election but said Chancellor George Osborne should follow the PM’s lead.

He said: "I don’t know whether there should be a general election but it’s certainly right Cameron should resign and George Osborne should follow him out of the door as soon as possible. They’ve presided over a despicable campaign. Good riddance to both of them."

Former Mid and West Wales Liberal Democrat AM William Powell, who campaigned for a remain vote, said he had expected Powys to go for out.

Mr Powell, who is also the Powys councillor for Talgarth, had been a member of the Stronger In campaign.

But he admitted he was pessimistic about the result before he attended the Royal Welsh Showground in Llanelwedd, where votes from all over Powys, were collected and counted.

"I was fairly clear Powys was likely to be in the leave camp by a few percentage points but the actual result didn’t surprise me and that tied in with my experience in recent weeks in engaging with friends, constituents and campaigning."

Mr Powell said he had always expected the overall UK vote to be closely fought.

"I always knew it was going to be a knife edge and never believed the positive messages being pumped out about the tipsters and markets were predicting a remain vote.

"I just crossed my fingers we would just have crossed the line and we didn’t and I think it is a profoundly sad day for Wales and the UK and people and I’m concerned for what future holds."Plaid Cymru's Mid and West Wales AM Simon Thomas said promises made during the campaign to continue to provide financial support to Wales should be kept.He said: "The people of Wales have elected to leave the European Union and we must respect their decision. The priority now must be to secure political and economic stability for Wales and the UK, and Plaid Cymru will work to ensure that the promises made during the campaign to safeguard grants and financial support to Wales are honoured. "The people of Wales can be certain that Plaid Cymru will fight to protect our communities."