Hamburg is no longer a candidate to host the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games after the city's residents voted against bidding for the global showpiece.

A referendum saw the 'No' campaign secure a narrow victory, with almost 52 per cent of votes.

The decision comes two years on from a similar verdict ending Munich's hopes of hosting the 2022 Winter Olympics.

A statement on the city of Hamburg's official website read: "In a referendum that ended on Sunday 29th November, nearly 52 percent of the Hamburg population voted against proceeding with the bid to host the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"Prior to the referendum, the city’s government, the senate, confirmed that it will comply with the decision made by voters at the polls.

"As a result, the joint bid of Hamburg and Kiel [where sailing competitions were planned] for the 2024 Games will be officially withdrawn."

The race to host the 2024 Games has therefore been narrowed down to four cities, with Budapest, Los Angeles, Paris and Rome still in contention.

A decision will be made by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2017.