THE eyes of the world fell on a Dorset village after residents voted on whether to hold a referendum on joining a new European Union treaty.

Television news crews from Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands descended on East Stoke near Wool for the event.

Villagers voted 72 to eight in favour of asking the electorate if the nation should join a European constitution.

The turnout represents just over 23 per cent of the potential voting population of 339 in the parish. John Barnes, who initially called for the vote to be taken, said: "The atmosphere was sort of one of expectation, almost jubilant and quite electric.

"There were cheers and shouts and a great deal of emotion when the result was announced.

"We had these film crews from around Europe and there were reporters from national and regional newspapers there as well.

"It was important to hold this vote because local people had been deprived of their democratic right to voice their opinions."

Mr Barnes stood unsuccessfully to be a UK Independence Party candidate at district council level and owns a guest house and caravan park in the village.

Darren Patterson, a supporter of the Campaign Alliance for Referendums in Parishes, said: "Last night's result was a result for democracy and gave local people a chance to vote on an issue of national importance."

The vote was initiated by people at a parish meeting despite only a few members of East Stoke Parish Council supporting the move.

Parish council chairman Simon Cross said the vote had to be held after 10 or more villagers said they wanted it to go ahead.

The wording of the question on the ballot paper was: "Do you want a referendum on the EU constitutional treaty? Yes or no?"

The treaty villagers voted on would encompass other European treaties and create a constitution' covering universal political issues such as the rule of law and human rights.