Plans for a congestion charge for Greater Manchester have been given the red light by voters - but they are asking what will happen next.

Almost two million ballot papers were posted out to residents in the 10 local authority areas last month and all 10 voted to reject the proposals.

Of Bolton's electorate of 199,819, 48.8 per cent voted. Figures announced just moments ago revealed 76,910 voted against the proposals, with 20,529 voting yes. In Bury, where there is an electorate of 140,441, 57.4 per cent voted, with 16,563, for and 64,001 against.

Highest turn-out was Trafford with 63.6pc. Lowest Manchester with 46.1pc making Bolton the eighth lowest.

The deadline for ballots to be returned was 10pm last night. The result came in at 12.20pm.

The results, announced by returning officer Sir Neil McIntosh at Manchester Central conference centre, will deal a fatal blow to the scheme, which would have created the country’s biggest road congestion zone, charging drivers up to £5 a day to use the region’s roads.

It could also spell the end for any further plans to introduce similar schemes, given the resounding rejection by voters.

Each of the councils across Greater Manchester must now cast a vote on whether they support the charge which forms part of a £3 billion TIF bid for cash.

That decision will be made next Friday.

If at least seven said yes, the deal would have gone ahead, bringing a new transport interchange, better rail facilities and more buses for Bolton.

Bolton MPs Brian Iddon and Ruth Kelly backed the bid, while David Crausby said he was against the proposals.

The congestion charge would have been be a peak-time, weekday levy for traffic in and out of Manchester city centre and within the M60.