European trade commissioner Pascal Lamy has described British membership of the single currency as "inevitable".

Speaking on the BBC Radio 4 World at One programme, he claimed it was important for the euro that the UK was involved.

"I think the road to Europe may be a bit longer for the United Kingdom than for others but it is the same road," he said.

"I think we need the British to be in the system because it will work with the Brits in than with the Brits out."

His comments follow a number of polls suggesting a shift in opinion since the introduction of notes and coins at the beginning of the year. Since January 1, Denmark and Sweden, the only other two EU countries not to enter the single currency, have announced plans for referenda on the subject next year.

James Frayne, a spokesman for Business for Sterling, said that public opposition remained high, despite the commissioner's comments.

"Pascal Lamy should be spending more time trying to get the Eurozone's 13 million unemployed back to work rather than getting involved in the British debate. Business and the public are still opposed to the euro by 2 to 1. There's no way the Government could win a referendum in this Parlament," he said.