A poll has showed that nearly half of Lowestoft residents support leaving the European Union (EU) as the referendum campaign got underway.

The Journal surveyed 100 people in the town and asked if they wanted to stay in the EU, leave or whether they were currently undecided.

Although 24 per cent said they were still to make up their minds, 47 per cent said they would be voting to leave, with 29 per cent saying they wanted to remain.

A range of views is already being expressed across Waveney after prime minister David Cameron announced a vote would take place on Thursday, June 23 after negotiating a series of reforms in Brussels.

The area's two MPs are saying they want to stay in while other politicians and businessmen are expressing views on either side.

Simon Tobin, who is standing for the UK Independence Party (UKIP) in the Suffolk police and crime commissioner election in May, said The Journal's poll showed 'people are desperately worried about services' and 'want control'.

He added: 'This EU referendum is more important than any general election, because the future of our country will be

defined by how we ultimately vote.'

However on Monday Suffolk Coastal MP Therese Coffey tweeted: 'After a lot of consideration and drawing on my previous experience in business, in the EU referendum, I will be voting to remain.'

And Waveney MP Peter Aldous said: 'The settlement that the prime minister has secured protects the UK from further political integration and I believe that Britain will be stronger, safer and better off in a reformed EU.'

Businessman Peter Colby has declared himself an outer, criticising the 'domination by Europe' and saying: 'The worst thing we ever did was get involved in the Common Market.'

? Will you be voting to leave or remain - and why? Write, giving your full contact details, to: andrew.papworth@archant.co.uk