CAMPAIGNERS against a single European currency have appointed a new regional director in the south. Michael Widén, a Swedish businessman now living in the UK, has been appointed by the 'no' campaign coalition of business leaders, academics and journalists to lead a recruitment drive and raise more funds.

Said Mr Widén: "We are a non-party political, pro-European campaign primarily composed of businesspeople who believe in the strong economic arguments for keeping the pound. "

The crucial thing for business in our region is that joining the euro would mean giving up control of our economy. The last time we did this, during the Exchange Rate Mechanism, it was a disaster for all businesses, especially in the south where 174, 000 jobs were lost."