MILLIONAIRE tycoon Paul Sykes has pledged his support to the UK Independence Party (UKIP).

The Harrogate-based Eurosceptic said the party shared his determination to "give voters a say" on Britain's continued EU membership.

The UKIP - which is fielding 450 candidates - is calling for a referendum and withdrawal from the EU.

At the 1997 election, Mr Sykes gave financial backing to a small number of Eurosceptic Tory candidates.

He has not disclosed how much cash he will be donating to UKIP.

But the businessman, who runs the British Democracy Campaign, said he would help with the costs of printing and delivering its manifesto to 20 million homes.

Mr Sykes said the UKIP was the only party to spell out in "clear factual terms what our present membership of the EU really means to the people of this country and what it is costing".

He added: "No one can pretend that the EU of 2001 bears any relationship to the Common Market of 1973.

"It is no longer possible to remain members of the European Union and at the same time retain British self government.

"It is vital in this election that the issue of our relationship with the EU is debated and that factual information is available to the voters at grass roots level throughout the country."

Mr Sykes said a recent MORI poll carried out on his behalf showed that 71 per cent of British voters were in favour of a referendum on Britain's continued

membership of the EU.

He added 52 per cent of those who expressed an opinion believe that Britain should leave.

"The people have spoken," said Mr Sykes, "but the politicians refuse to listen".

He has already taken out full page advertisements in national

newspapers to publish the findings of a poll of MPs.

It asked if they would support letting the public decide on the issue of EU membership - but 90 per cent failed to respond.

Those who were said to have supported his call for a referendum included seven Labour candidates and some Tories.

However some, including the pro-European Barbara Follett, denied giving it their backing.

Updated: 16:12 Tuesday, May 22, 2001