WEST Dorset MP Oliver Letwin will campaign for Britain to remain in the EU.

Mr Letwin, minister for government policy in David Cameron's Cabinet, has praised the Prime Minister for a "hugely significant agreement" with EU leaders.

Last week, Mr Cameron held talks in Brussels to renegotiate Britain's relationship with the EU.

Mr Letwin said: "For three decades, I have been arguing that Britain's national interest lies in being part of a single market while not being part of the single currency, the European army, the border-less Schengen area or any of the other elements of an emerging federal state.

"The Prime Minister has negotiated a hugely significant agreement, which will substantially change the UK’s relationship to the EU.

"The agreement will allow the UK to continue to benefit from the economic advantages of participating in the free trade single market without being dragged into a federal state.

"The people now rightly have the opportunity to make a decision about whether to remain on this basis. I will be voting to remain."

The Prime Minister announced on Saturday that the promised referendum on Britain's membership of the EU will take place on Thursday, June 23.

Mr Cameron said that leaving the EU would threaten Britain's "economic and national security" following his marathon negotiating session to secure a new deal for the UK.

He confirmed that individual ministers would be free to campaign on either side of the debate.

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill is backing calls to leave the EU.

“I have been very open about my grave concerns with regard to the security of our sea and airports and the movement of people across our borders,” said Mr Underhill.

“I am also worried about Britain's sovereignty from a policing and judicial point of view. I do not believe the new proposals deal with these issues."

Conservative South West MEP Ashley Fox is supporting Mr Cameron's call for Britain to remain in the EU.

He said: "I want us fully engaged with the single market, which is important for jobs and many businesses in my region.

"I believe that leaving the EU would put our economic recovery at risk. I am not convinced we would secure satisfactory terms were we to leave. I also think that the EU would change for the worse if we left and that would not be in Britain's interest."

Green South West MEP Molly Cato will also campaign for the UK to remain in the EU - believing "shared solutions" can be achieved as part of the EU.

She said: "I still believe the European story should be celebrated; countries with different histories and cultures, benefitting from unprecedented peace and stability and working together for the common good.”