THE views of Bury's two elected members of parliament on the EU referendum could not be more diametrically opposed.

Labour Bury South MP Ivan Lewis, who is currently bidding to become the first elected Mayor of Greater Manchester, is a strong supporter of staying within the EU.

But Conservative Bury North MP David Nuttall is an ardent backer of the leave campaign, and has consistently spoke out over the EU since his election in 2010.

Mr Lewis said: "I believe that the overwhelming weight of evidence is in favour of Britain remaining in the EU.

"Britain should not be turning away from Europe and the three million jobs that are linked to trade with Europe. Leaving the EU will put these jobs at risk.

"The 20th century was dominated by two terrible wars in Europe which cost too many lives and left too many scars. The EU ensures countries cooperate together on a daily basis making such conflicts far less likely and strengthening peace and stability.

"Workers rights is a key labour argument for remaining in the EU. Without the protection the European Union gives us, those rights fought for by the last labour government such as paid maternity and paternity leave could be ripped up by the Tory Government.

"I am voting for Britain to remain in the EU because I believe it's in the best interest of my constituents and my family."

Mr Nuttall said: "I believe the United Kingdom would not only survive but we would actually thrive if we left the European Union. I trust the British people not to be taken in by the scare stories of war and economic ruin from the Remain campaign.

"If we vote to leave the EU we can take back control of our own affairs. We can decide what laws we should all live by. Crucially if voters don’t like the government it can be voted out and replaced. You can’t do that with the EU.

"If we leave the EU we will have power to negotiate our own trade agreements, we will save billions of pounds every year in our contributions to the EU budget and vitally we will regain control of our own borders.

"I urge everyone, regardless of their political views, to ‘vote leave’ on 23rd June and let us take back control."

In a poll before May's local elections, the Bury Times asked all 51 of the town's borough councillors how they will be voting in the EU referendum, to gauge opinion at the town hall.

Of the 49 councillors who took part in the poll, 40 said they will vote to remain in the EU, five said they will vote to leave, three said they were undecided and one said it was a private matter.