Britain's euro-referendum is set for October 2003, claims a former minister.

The UK battle over single currency membership is just over a year away, says former Scotland Office George Foulkes.

He told Scotland On Sunday that Tony Blair had personally informed him of the euro-referendum date.

The Doon Valley Labour MP takes up a board role of the Yes campaigning Britain in Europe and Scotland in Europe groups on Monday.

"I have spoken to the prime minister on the subject of the date and the final decision on the date of the referendum will be his," Foulkes told the newspaper.

"However, after speaking to him, our working assumption is autumn of next year and we are looking at October."

Downing Street has continued to insist no decision has yet been taken.

"The position on the euro remains unchanged. There are five economic tests that need to be met and that remains the case," said a spokesman.

TGWU boss Bill Morris - known to be an ally of the chancellor Gordon Brown on the single currency - has called on Number 10 to delay a euro-referendum until a third term in government.

"People's experience at the next election will be based on public services. So I argue that we should make public services the priority, get the third term, and then address the euro," he told the BBC.

"No referendum until a third term, that's a guarantee."