HYNDBURN Labour MP Greg Pope has entered the euro debate by calling for an early vote on scrapping the pound.

His comments came as Downing Street reprimanded Transport Secretary Stephen Byers for "revealing" that the government could be planning an early referendum on the euro.

Former government Whip Mr Pope wants a "yes" vote.

He said that already the National Institute for Economic and Social Research has said that the Chancellor's five economic tests to ensure that signing up is good for Britain had been met.

Mr Pope said: "I have been a long-term supporter of a successful single European currency and believe passionately that it is in Britain's interests to join soon. There is no doubt that remaining outside the euro zone is damaging exporters here in Hyndburn, East Lancashire and across the UK.

"We are at a crossroads and the UK is going to have to decide whether it wants to be a leading nation in Europe or not. In my view there is no future for us as a half-hearted member of the European Union and the sooner we join the single currency, the better.

"I also believe that we can win an early referendum on joining. Both the politics and the economics of being in the euro are right."

The government was forced to deny Mr Byers' claim that euro referendum legislation would be included the Queen's Speech in November.