AN MP has spoken out at Prime Ministers's Questions to argue that Britain must stay in the European Union in order to protect North-East manufacturing.

Alex Cunningham, Labour MP for Stockton North, spoke in the House of Commons and cited statistics which claim that three million British jobs are dependant on the EU.

Mr Cunningham also claimed that Tees Valley firms including Tees Company of the Year, plastics firm Nifco UK which has a base near Stockton, needed the country to stay in the EU.

Addressing the Prime Minister, Mr Cunningham said: “I’m sure the Prime Minister knows of the need for us all to back our manufacturing industry, but does he agree with Nifco’s Managing Director, Mike Matthews, who says it would be “business suicide” for the UK to leave the EU?”

The Prime Minister agreed that manufacturing was important to the future prosperity of the North-East business leaders in the region should be listened to.

Speaking afterwards, Mr Cunningham said: “The future for our families and our country will be on the line on June 23 when the nation goes to the polls to decide whether to remain strong in the European Union or leave Britain isolated on the outside."

On a visit to Newcastle last month Boris Johnson, who is campaigning to leave, argued that the EU would in fact continue to trade with the UK after 'Brexit,' and pro-EU politicians were guilty of "scaremongering."