Areas across Scotland are continuing to declare their vote after people went to the polls over whether the country should leave the UK.

Voters answered "Yes" or "No" to the referendum question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?".

They cast their ballots at polling stations across each of Scotland's 32 local authority areas on Thursday.

Shortly before 05:15 BST the BBC predicted Scottish voters had rejected independence with 55% saying "No".

Image copyright PA

The scene in Glasgow's George Square as it became apparent that most areas of Scotland had rejected independence.

Image copyright AP

Tellers are counting votes at the Royal Highland Centre in Ingliston, Edinburgh. There were 4.2m registered voters across Scotland - 97% of the electorate.

Image copyright PA

Voters were asked a single yes/no question - but some ballot papers were spoiled.

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon reacts as the North Lanarkshire declaration reveals the "Yes" campaign winning with 51.1% of the vote.

Better Together campaigners celebrated at their Glasgow HQ as they heard they had been successful in Clackmannanshire. "No" won by 54% to 46%.

Image copyright Getty Images

Declarations from around Scotland were placed on a wall at the Edinburgh counting centre.

Image copyright AFP/Getty

Count observers looking on as ballot papers are counted at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre. There is a counting centre in each of Scotland's 32 local authorities.

Image copyright Getty Images

Glasgow's George Square had been a focal point for "Yes" supporters as they awaited the results of the referendum.

Image copyright Getty Images

Supporters of both the "Yes" and "No" campaigns headed to the Scottish Parliament as their country's fate was being decided.

Image copyright Getty Images

"Yes" supporters waved flags outside the parliament building in Edinburgh. The result in the capital city is not expected until around 05:00 BST.

Image copyright PA

Father and daughter George and Anne Mackay's converted caravan served as a polling station for about 50 residents at Coulags, near Lochcarron, in the Highlands.

Image copyright Getty Images

A schoolgirl leaves a polling place in Edinburgh before heading to her morning classes. The decision to lower the voting age to 16 for the referendum has given thousands their first chance to vote in a national election.

Image copyright AFP

Large queues formed outside polling stations in Glasgow as people cast their votes before heading to work.

Image copyright PA

Former prime minister and Better Together campaigner Gordon Brown cast his vote at the North Queensferry Community Centre in Fife.

Image copyright AP

First Minister Alex Salmond waved to the waiting cameras as he cast his vote at Ritchie Hall in Strichen.

Image copyright Getty Images

Better Together campaign leader Alistair Darling was joined by his wife Margaret as he cast his vote at Church Hill Theatre in Edinburgh.