The Green Party will join the No campaign to fight against the European single currency at a referendum, it was announced on Tuesday.

Instead, the party will campaign for economic control to be devolved to local government, claiming that the transfer of control to a European central bank would be undemocratic and speed up the process of globalisation, to which the Greens are opposed.

Members denied that the move was a shift to the right for the party, although they admitted that the partnership was odd.

"I don't think anybody could think of the Green Party as a right wing party. We stand for the most progressive and radical ideas in politics. So the fact that we are associated with the anti-euro campaign will stand out and make people realise that it is a much broader alliance than they might have thought," said Caroline Lucas, Green MEP for the South East.

"There is this rather naive idea that if you a big internationalist then you must be in favour of the euro. People who are against the euro are seen as being xenophobic Little Englanders - but it doesn't necessarily follow. We have got to break down the perception that it is a Tory issue.

"The fundamental lack of credibility and legitimacy, which can only get worse in the EU, will affect the level of democracy in our everyday lives," she added.

A Business for Sterling campaign spokesman said: "The no campaign has always been a cross party coalition. The stereotype of those opposed to the euro as being old fashioned or right wing is wrong actually polls show that women and young people are the most opposed."

"With unemployment in the Eurozone almost double ours it's no surprise that more and more people on the left are coming out against the euro."

However, campaign director for Britain in Europe, Simon Buckby, warned that the partnership would never work.

"This bizarre marriage of convenience is bound to end up in tears, especially as the UK Green party is almost the only Green party in Europe that is opposed to the Euro," he said.