A POLL of Worcester News readers has found a majority want to LEAVE the EU - with 54 per cent backing an exit.

The results of a snap survey on our website, which ran for 24 hours from yesterday afternoon until today, is remarkably similar to national polls which have piled the pressure on David Cameron.

Hundreds took part in our effort, with 44 per cent calling for Britain to remain inside the European Union and two per cent saying they did not know.

It comes just days after the Prime Minister revealed a watered-down package of draft reforms from Brussels which are expected to lead to an in/out referendum this year.

Our poll has also led to a county MP insisting he will back staying inside the EU for the sake of his "children's futures" - saying he would could not stomach an exit because of what it could mean for them.

Nigel Huddleston, the MP for Mid-Worcestershire, a dad-of-two, said: "At the end of the day my opinion doesn't really matter, the referendum is about giving people a chance to have this vote and I don't suspect I can sway them either way, nor would I want to.

"But I'll be voting for the sake of my children's future, it will be as hard and cold as that.

"For me, the biggest thing is the acceptance that the UK is on a different path to the rest of Europe, its direction needs to be different and it looks like that's being achieved."

But the poll result has been seized upon by known Eurosceptics, who say the outcome reflects the appetite to leave.

UKIP West Midlands MEP James Carver, who lives in Worcester, said: "David Cameron has basically asked for nothing of importance and has achieved just that.

"If he had been serious he would have fought for meaningful changes such as the reintroduction of UK border control so we decide numbers and qualifications of entrants.

"Instead he has come up with a wishy-washy package which in reality leaves everything in the hands of the EU.

"It looks increasingly likely the referendum will be held in June and Mr Cameron’s 'renegotiations' make it plain that voting to leave is the only sensible option."

Yesterday we revealed how Worcester MP Robin Walker said he needs time to fully digest the draft reforms before deciding which side to back, while West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin and Wyre Forest MP Mark Garnier are with the 'in' camp.