Denis MacShane has launched a UK-wide tour to mark Britain's 30-year membership of the European Union.

Beginning his tour in Newcastle, the recently promoted Europe minister said he wanted the British public to be better informed about EU issues.

With the EU undergoing a period of momentus change - with debate over a new constitution and the expansion into central and eastern Europe - MacShane is also celebrating British membership of the EU.

"Next year marks thirty years of British membership of the EU," he said.

"In that time, we have broken down the barriers to the movement of goods across the continent, bringing huge benefits to businesses.

"Now we need to bring down the barriers to understanding what the EU does. Europe's greatest achievement has been to create harmony between its peoples. Its greatest challenge for the future is to create harmony with its peoples."

The visit has been described as part of the government's commitment to arguing the case for positive and confident engagement in Europe directly with the public.

But media reports suggest Number 10 will be interested in the minister's assessment of grassroots opinion on British membership of the euro.

An assessment that a referendum is winnable could help boost the chances of the prime minister pressing ahead with a vote on the controversial subject.