BURY'S backbench MP David Chaytor is calling for a General Election next year so Britain can sign up to the Euro as soon as possible.

He says the nation's industry could suffer badly the longer Britain delays the "inevitable" step of entering the single currency.

Tony Blair has promised to hold a public referendum following the next election.

But the Labour MP for Bury North worries that that might be too far away. He wants a quickie General Election to bring forward the referendum.

Mr Chaytor's views have left his electorate knowing exactly where he stands on one of the most controversial issues the country has had to face.

And he has praised the Government for spending money on a campaign to prepare for the Euro, a move which some have denounced as propaganda on the rates.

"It's inevitable that sooner or later Britain will join," said the MP for Bury North. "I am in favour of joining it. I think it's absolutely impossible to imagine a long-term future for Britain's manufacturing industry outside a single currency."

Mr Chaytor added: "There's a strong case for bringing the General Election forward to 2000 so that the referendum can be brought forward as well. There's concern that the delay could affect prospects for future investment. The sooner the referendum is held the better."

Mr Chaytor welcomed the Government's newly published National Changeover Plan.

"This is absolutely the right way forward," he said. "It would be stupid to do nothing and hold a referendum at short notice. It's sound use of public money to make the preparations well in advance.

"There's a massive job to be done in explaining the technicalities and implications of it all, and reassuring people that going in will not damage their savings."

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