The polling stations opened at 0700BST in Ceredigion

Voting slips are being counted at Aberaeron Leisure Centre, the coastal town which is also home to the county council's headquarters.

A result is expected around midnight when Ceredigion will make history in Wales or decide to stick with the current system.

Supporters and opponents of a Ken Livingstone-style mayor for Ceredigion have already admitted that the outcome will be close.

If voters back the proposal, Ceredigion will have the first directly-elected mayor in Wales, with the election probably taking place on 21 October.

The referendum was called after campaigners collected 8,500 names on a petition.

Homes

It followed protests against plans to build 6,500 new homes in the county.

Campaigners claimed the houses would destroy the local environment, and damage the Welsh language.

But opponents of the mayor proposal said one person with so much influence over policy would be dangerous for the county.