THE ever-growing pressure for Britain to join the euro gained fresh impetus yesterday after two heavyweight figures called for Government action.

Kunio Nakamura, president of Matsushita, the world's biggest consumer electronics manufacturer, said: "If Britain does nothing to solve the problem, foreign companies, regardless of whether they are Japanese, American or whatever nationality, may exit the country."

That was backed by Simon Buckby, campaign director for the pro-euro group Britain in Europe, who argued that "shutting the door on the euro could force foreign investors to leave Britain".

"Inward investment is one of the cornerstones of Britain's economic success," he said. "This is warning to the whole country that our prosperity is at risk if we rule out the single currency."

Matsushita is the world biggest consumer electronics manufacturer, and although its has no bases in the region it's seven factories in Britain employ 4,500 people.

The firm has already switched most of its television set production from England to the Czech Republic.

Earlier in the week the president of Nissan, Carlos Ghosn, met Prime Minister Tony Blair to discuss his concerns over the strength of the pound and Britain's stance on the single currency.

MrGhosn warned Mr Blair that the company might consider building its new Micra model outside Britain, threatening thousands of jobs at its Sunderland plant