YORK people are opposed to joining the euro, according to research carried out in the city.

A team of students from the University of York quizzed almost 1,000 people about their views on Europe.

Their findings were announced today, on the eve of the Thessaloniki summit of heads of EU states and governments that will decide the future framework of the union.

Their findings - based on responses to a range of different questions - suggested that most people opposed joining the euro, but only a minority were opposed to the EU. Men were more pro-EU than women - but most people were indifferent.

The research showed the people's opinions were not deep set, and had changed over the years. The role of the media was critical.

Fifty per cent said their views might change if they received more information, and most admitted their knowledge of the EU was limited.

More than 90 per cent said they were disillusioned, because the Government was giving out mixed messages.

Almost 80 per cent described press reports of the EU as negative, and formed their attitudes towards the EU with their choice of newspaper.

Emma Blakey, who helped carry out the research and has joint British and French nationality, said: "What is clear from this survey - if York residents are indeed representative of British people - is that the public on the whole has no deep-seated hostility or affection for the European Union.

"Most say they don't know or don't care. Instead our attitudes are more affected by circumstances and what are seen as the costs and benefits to the nation as a whole - rather than individuals - of EU membership.

"These 'circumstances' are a mix of personal experience and news media accounts. Overall, public opinion towards the EU is highly influenceable. The role of the press - especially the tabloids - is critical.

"At the end of the day, the real outcome for Britain of the weekend's summit in Thessaloniki will be determined on the printing fields of Wapping - unless much more information is made available by other sources for scrutiny and debate. Informed consent is essential to enduring EU integration."

Updated: 11:01 Friday, June 20, 2003