British trade unions could risk losing the support of their members, if they press for an early entry to Europe's single currency, according to Bill Morris, leader of the huge Tranport and General Workers (T&G) union.

Pointing to a Mori poll conducted for the T&G, Mr Morris urged his colleagues in the Trades Union Congress to "listen to the view of their members on Europe and stop pushing for early entry".

The TUC is holding its annual conference next week in Glasgow.

Mr Morris said any decision on euro membership should depend on whether the government's five criteria for joining the single currency had been met.

Moving to early on the euro "could cost Labour the referendum" on membership, he said.

The Mori poll of 2,254 adults suggest that trade unionists are not as hostile towards joining the euro as the general public.

Trade unionists oppose joining the euro by 49% to 43%, while in the population as a whole 55% are against membership, while 34% are in favour. The rest didn't know.

But attitudes shift significantly towards membership when people were asked about joining the euro if the government's economic criteria were met.

According to the Mori poll, in that case 48% of trade unions members would be in favour, with only 43% against.

However, among the general public, only 37% of the public are in favour and 48% are still opposed.

Union splits

The split in the UK's trade union movement over the single currency is expected to feature prominently during next week's TUC congress.

Leaders of Britain's main engineering unions, like Sir Ken Jackson, are continuing to press the government to advocate early entry to the euro.

They are concerned that manufacturing jobs are moving abroad as British manufacturing becomes too expensive because of the high pound.

The problems at Rover this summer has highlighted their concerns.

Other public sector unions, like Unison, are concerned that joining the euro would lead to restraints on UK public spending in the future, costing jobs for their members.