MORE than 9,000 people in Thurrock have signed the People’s Pledge calling for a EU referendum.

The borough was picked as the first location in the country for the campaign group’s local referendum today (Thursday).

The campaign group was expecting a high turn out, after all households in the borough were sent a voting form through the post by the electoral reform service, and details of how to vote on the phone, online, or by text.

The ballot asked voters if they agreed or disagreed whether they should be given a national referendum on whether the UK remains a member of the European Union.

The Thurrock poll will be followed by ten other constituencies in the country in the autumn and 100 more next year.

The votes will be used in the group’s campaign for a national referendum by the next Parliament in 2015.

The campaign’s Ian McKenzie, said: “9,200 Thurrock electors having signed the People’s Pledge is an astounding achievement for the campaign.

“The last time Britain had a referendum on whether we should stay in the Common Market was in 1975 and it has changed beyond recognition since then.

“A referendum would determine the modern view of the British people.”

For more information, go online to www.peoplespledge.org/thurrock