Hampshire companies are some of the most successful in exporting to the continent, according to official figures.

The South East region, in which the county plays a key role, is the UK's biggest exporter to the continent with orders worth £7.6 billion to businesses in the area.

Figures released by Customs and Excise show that of all goods exported from the South Eat in the first half of this year, 57 per cent went to European Union markets.

Chris Huhne, council member of Britain in Europe and South East Liberal Democrat MEP said: " More than 425,000 jobs in the South East rely on our ability to export to these markets.

"Today's data underlines that out local prosperity depends on exprts to the EU and shutting the door on the single currency would put jobs and businesses in the South East at risk.

"This just represents the direct impact. If people employed in exporting businesses were to lose their jobs the ripple effects would spread throughout the region into service industries like caterers, cleaners and others.''