Pub group JD Wetherspoon has launched a campaign against the euro.

The firm's 530 pubs will display adverts on beer mats and posters urging customers to vote 'No' in any future referendum.

The pub group will also offer customers bumper stickers and postcards addressed to Prime Minister Tony Blair.

The firm unveiled the campaign alongside healthy full-year financial results which showed a 23% rise in profits.

Euro 'likely to fail'

Chairman Tim Martin said: "I strongly believe that each major currency in the world is backed by a single government and that this is a pre-requisite for economic success."

For this reason, I feel that the euro is likely to fail and that it would be extremely unwise for Britain to join."

The company enjoyed a 23% rise in profits to �44.3m in the 12 months to 29 July 2001 from �36.0m in the previous financial year.

Sales were worth �484m, up 31% from �369.6m a year earlier, while like-for-like sales also rose by 7.5%.

The company, which opened 94 new outlets during the financial year, said sales at the new pubs have been "very encouraging". It has opened a further eight pubs since 29 July.

The advertising blizt against the single currency in the firm's 530 pubs is being co-ordinated by No, a campaign group set up by Business for Sterling and New Europe.

The beer mats, bumper stickers and other items will all be printed with the campaign catchphrase - "Let's get shot of it".

Bumper stickers will say: "Keep your job - keep the pound".