The polling stations have been opened for hours but campaigners on both sides of the EU debate have been busy in Winchester in a last-ditch bid to sway voters.

The historic referendum which will decide the fate of whether Britain remains in the European Union or leave has seen both sides argue for months.

Brexit supporters claim Britain is being held back by the EU which, they say, is imposing too many rules on the UK as well as fuelling immigration and taking £350 million out of the economy every week.

But Remain campaigners say Britain is more secure as a result of being part of the 28-nation club.

They also insist that the flow of immigrants, many of whom are described as young and keen to work, boosts the economy and helps pay for public services.

In Winchester, Remain campaigners gathered at The Broadway and also at Winchester Bus Station.

King Alfred's Statue was decorated with flags of countries in the EU, and campaigners had posters urging people to vote to stay in.

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Drivers beeped their horns in support, but one passer by shouted abuse at them and urged them to "get out".

Following the tragic death of MP Jo Cox, there have been calls to calm the debate down and remove the toxicity surrounding the vote from both sides.

One of the remain campaigners told the Chronicle, "We were all called Nazis by one chap this morning." and added that their posters and material had been removed on several occasions.

The campaigners were of all ages, from retired ex-teachers to a young student.

All were keen to point out why people should vote to stay in the EU.

Alison Biden,67, retired from Winchester said: "The response here has been very uplifting there has been a lot of support, it has been good humoured and good natured by and large and the odd bit of abuse but not alot."

"We think there is a awful lot of benefit to staying in the EU, we have had 40 years of peace, prosperity and peoples rights and benefits to the environment, we are cautiously optimistic we will stay in."

Teenager Angus Robinson, 18, a student at Winchester College was the youngest campaigner with them.

Mr Robinson said: "The question is if we want to be a nation that wants to work with others and of course for our generation it is important to work together as we are facing problems that do not have borders like climate change and global poverty."

Leave campaigner Michael Coker-Davies set up a stall outside The Buttercross.

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The 59-year-old was handing out leaflets to undecided voters.

Mr Coker-Davies, said: "I think we should leave because we have to retain sovereignity, that we have no control over immigration and that is not likely to change and that I believe that teh EU project is doomed."

With polls having varying results in the last few days, Mr Coker-Davies said he had no idea what the outcome will be.

"It is a quiet because people are reflecting on the day itself but given that Winchester is very liberal based we have distributed an awful lot of material over the last few months.

"I think it is too tight to call, I hope that we leave but it is a very tight decision."