THREE unlikely friends have joined forces in order to encourage Mid Devon residents to leave the EU.

Cllr Derek Coren, Conservative for Yeo, Cllr Bob Wright, Liberal Democrat for Lawrence, and Cllr Ron Dolley, UKIP for Wessex, joined together to urge people to vote leave on June 23.

Cllr Coren said: "I’m voting to come out of the EU for the sake of my children and grandchildren, so that they will not be strangled by the red tape of Europe.

"When Mr Cameron came back some months ago with his new deal with Europe it was said to be a wonderful new agreement. If it was so wonderful why are they not talking about it now?”

Cllr Wright focused on the issues surrounding immigration into the UK.

He said: "The immigration figures released last week showed that the number of immigrants who entered Britain in the last 12 months was equal to 40 times the population of Crediton."

His attention was then switched to the cost of the UK's EU membership.

The Cllr added: “Whether you argue that we send £350 million a week to the EU or because we get some back in reality it costs us £165 million a week, whichever you go with, it is still a large amount to give away each week. I believe that our elected government should decide how this £350 million should be spent and not the EU."

Cllr Dolley said: "I think we should leave the ship before it sinks and we sink with it. Greece has to make another debt repayment in July. The problem’s not gone away.

"If we leave we can direct the money from the bottomless hole that is the EU to where it’s needed in our own country, like the NHS and other more pressing issues."

The councillors agreed to put their political differences aside to unite in a stand against the EU. They agreed it was one of those things that was more important than party politics.

Cllr Coren said: "We may each have our differences as political groups but on this issue we stand together. Let’s take back control of our country."

Cllr Dolley said: "Britain and the good of Britain should come before party politics. We should always put the UK before big politics. It ought to be that way in any decision. Every politician should strive for what’s best for the UK."

Rebelling against his party, as the Liberal Democrats support remaining in the EU, Cllr Wright explained why he believes voting leave will be the best decision for him.

He said: "The official Liberal Democrat line is to support the Stronger Together campaign. I have always put people before politics, and this is what I will be doing. I think leaving the EU will be better for everyone, that’s why I will be voting to leave."