WITHOUT warning North Yorkshire has become the front line in the Europe-wide battle over Britain's membership of the single currency.

Yesterday Nestl Rowntree was compelled to deny strenuously national media claims that the York factory could close because KitKat production in the Euro zone was cheaper.

Today The Sun newspaper has taken the unprecedented step of printing a special edition only available in the city asking whether Nestl chief executive Peter Blackburn is "the most dangerous man in York?" because he wants Britain to join the Euro.

Meanwhile, National Farmers' Union president Ben Gill used the opening day of the Great Yorkshire Show to highlight the damage the strong pound is doing to farmers. Some farmers will now be asking if they would be better off with Euros in their pockets.

Tony Blair may be desperate to suppress debate on the single currency, but the sudden explosion of interest in North Yorkshire proves he is doomed to fail.

Unfortunately the Rowntree's row has produced more heat than light. The Sun accuses pro-Euro campaigners of "playing politics with you - the decent, hard-working people of York". But if anyone is playing politics with York people, it is surely the newspaper that has stormed up here spreading fear among Nestl Rowntree's workforce.

It is absolutely right that we discuss joining the Euro. This is no longer an esoteric debate confined to economists. Recent events have brought home that this is a decision which will affect us all, from those on the KitKat line to North Yorkshire's farmers.

But it must be a calm and informed discussion. We have started the process with the feature on this page. Now we need the politicians to lead a national debate.

The guiding principle that must govern whether we join the Euro is simple: will it safeguard the long-term prosperity of our workers? We still have some time left before market forces oblige us to jump one way or another. We must use that thinking time wisely.