WITH less than a month to go until the UK goes to the polls to decide whether to stay in the European Union or not, campaigners for both sides have been stepping up their awareness campaigns this week.

On Saturday, 17-year-old Emily Moss organised a Vote Leave rally in Trowbridge and managed to shift around 600 leaflets to the public, hoping to sway them to leave the EU.

The St Augustine’s College student said: “We were able to get the message out there , people were asking questions about us and in some cases we were able to help people decide who didn’t know which way to vote.

“The topic has always been an interest of mine and I have always been a Eurosceptic since I was about 13 because I am interested in looking at democracy.”

Andrew Murrison, South West Wiltshire MP also pledged his Brexit support at the event and said: “I’m fed up with the cost and bureaucracy of the EU and am confident the UK would be safer, better off and more democratic if we vote to leave.

“The EU may feather the nests of the very wealthy and big corporations but it’s harmful for the low paid and small businesses.”

The UK has remained a member of the EU since 1973 and a vote either way will see changes to trade, immigration, jobs and security.

Rosie Macgregor from the TUC is campaigning for the UK to remain part of the EU because otherwise, saying the country risks losing some employment rights.

She added: “The economic arguments in favour of remaining part of the world’s largest single market are strong with millions of jobs in jeopardy if we leave, indeed some of the largest employers in the south west have indicated they would move to the continent including car manufactures and aerospace industries if we left.

“We risk losing many employment rights that are underpinned by European law, such as mandatory annual leave, parental leave, statutory sick pay and gender equality.

“We’ve had peace in Europe for more than 70 years. There has never been a stronger argument as part of national security to remain at a time when there is instability on our borders and the far right is already gaining the upper hand in some areas. It may be an old trade union motto but unity is strength.”

The EU referendum takes place on June 23.