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The Catalan health service confirmed that two people are in serious condition in hospital as 319 polling stations were closed by cops across the region.

The referendum has been branded "illegal" by Madrid but Catalan authorities claim they have "earned the right to an independent state".

Despite a dramatic day of unrest, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy suggested the protests had all been for nothing in a dismissive statement.

But the region is faced with days of disruption as independence groups refuse to accept Rajoy's stance.

Trade unions have already called for a general strike on Tuesday, paving the way for yet more uncertainty.

And Carles Puigdemont, the President of Catalonia, has vowed to "act in accordance with the law of the referendum".

(Image: GETTY)

He said: "On this day of hope and suffering, Catalonia's citizens have earned the right to have an independent state in the form of a republic.

"My government, in the next few days will send the results of today's vote to the Catalan Parliament, where the sovereignty of our people lies, so that it can act in accordance with the law of the referendum."

But Rajoy slammed the vote as “illegal” and said the majority of protesters were fooled into taking part.

He said: “So many Catalans have been cheated when they were invited to participate in an illegal mobilisation.

“I understand the frustration that today can be felt and I really regret that the people affected by this suffer."

He said the protests were a strategy against legality and democracy and thanked the police for cracking down on those involved.

Rajoy added: "The vast majority of the people of Catalonia did not want to participate in the secessionists’ script.

(Image: EPA) (Image: EPA)

"They have shown that they are law-abiding people and quietly ignored the call."

The Prime Minister has been branded a "dictator" by other politicians after his controversial address.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said: “Rajoy has chosen blood, sticks, blows and repression against a noble people. Our hand goes out to the people of Catalonia. Resist, Catalonia!”

Earlier today, cops were forced to fire rubber bullets and use batons to prevent riots from breaking out on the streets during the illegal votes.

Emergency services attended to the voters injured as officers stormed voting stations to stop the banned referendum.

(Image: EPA)

Spanish Deputy Prime Minister, Soraya Saenz de Santamaria, praised the actions of cops to prevent the votes going ahead in Catalonia.

The “absolute irresponsibility” of the Catalan regional government in holding the vote had been compensated for the professionalism of the Spanish security forces.

She said: “They have compiled with the orders of justice. They have acted with professionalism and in a proportionate way.

“They have always sought to protect rights and liberties.”

Puigdemont accused Spanish authorities of using “unjustified, disproportionate and irresponsible” violence in a crackdown on the referendum.

He said: “The unjustified, disproportionate and irresponsible violence of the Spanish state today today has not only failed to stop Catalans’ desire to vote… but has helped to clarify all the doubts we had to resolve today.”

Scuffles broke out between armed offices in helmets and crowds as people waved ballot papers in the air.

Officials with riot shields jostled with hundreds of voters outside one station at a school in Barcelona as the crowd chanted “We are people of peace!”.

Thousands of national police rushed to shut down polling stations in a bid to avoid violence.

Spain’s interior ministry claims that cops sealed off “most” of the region’s 2,000+ polling stations.