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'Little Scotland': Corby holds mock referendum vote 'Little Scotland': Corby rejects independence in mock referendum
(34 minutes later)
Hundreds of people have cast their vote in Northamptonshire's "Little Scotland" during a mock independence referendum. A mock independence vote held in a part of England dubbed "Little Scotland" has rejected breaking up the union.
The ballot was offered to those attending Corby's annual Highland Gathering and asked whether Scotland should be an independent country. The ballot, which was held during Corby's annual Highland Gathering, saw 576 votes cast with 162 backing Scots independence and 414 rejecting it.
The town has become home to thousands of people claiming Scottish descent. Thousands living in the Northamptonshire town are of Scottish descent having moved there in the 1930s to work on iron and steelwork sites.
Organiser Mark Pengelly said the vote was "a bit of fun" ahead of the actual Scottish referendum in September. The result is expected at 16:30 BST. Organiser Mark Pengelly said the vote was "a bit of fun".
Scottish people moved to the town in the 1930s when a giant new steelworks offered jobs. The actual Scottish referendum takes place in September.
Many stayed in Corby after the collapse of iron and steel working sites in the area, leading to the town's "Little Scotland" tag. Hundreds of people queued to cast their vote at the Highland Gathering, which features pipe bands and dancing and is said to be the biggest such event held outside Scotland.
According to the 2011 census, 7,765 (12.7%) people of the town's population of 61,255 were born in Scotland. Speaking before the gathering, Linda Cassidy, who moved to Corby in 1977, said: "Living outside of Scotland has never made me feel any less Scottish.
Linda Cassidy, who moved to Corby in 1977, said: "Living outside of Scotland has never made me feel any less Scottish.
"I won't have a vote in September, but I do have a view and I hope everyone in Corby will make their views heard today.""I won't have a vote in September, but I do have a view and I hope everyone in Corby will make their views heard today."
Scottish 'voice' Many of the Scots who moved to Northamptonshire for work stayed in Corby after the collapse of iron and steel working sites in the area, leading to the town's "Little Scotland" tag.
Corby Borough Council had campaigned for its residents to have a say on Scotland's future. They retained their culture and even campaigned, unsuccessfully, to be allowed to vote in the referendum in September.
Only those permanently living in the country are eligible to vote in the official poll. According to the 2011 census, 7,765 (12.7%) people of the town's population of 61,255 were born in Scotland.
Mr Pengelly, a Labour councillor, felt a mock vote would give Corby's Scots "a voice". Mr Pengelly, a Labour councillor, said he felt the mock vote would give Corby's Scots "a voice".
"Corby has a lot of Scottish traditions," he said. "The vote will certainly create a lot of interest.""Corby has a lot of Scottish traditions," he said. "The vote will certainly create a lot of interest."
A polling station for the mock poll opened at 09:00 and close at 16:00. A polling station for the mock poll opened at 09:00 BST and closed at 16:00.
The Corby Highland Gathering features pipe bands and highland dancing, and is said to be the biggest such event held outside Scotland.