Tony Blair has urged Germany to do 'everything possible' to keep Britain in the European Union.

The former Prime Minister has been a prominent advocate to remain in the EU since and has now urged Merkel to try her best to reverse the decision made in the referendum.

He said: 'It would be a mistake of historic proportions if the United Kingdom leaves the European Union.

Tony Blair has urged Germany to do 'everything possible' to keep Britain in the European Union

'Even Europe - especially Germany - has a lot to lose.

'It is in all our interests to maintain barrier-free trade across the continent and to hold liberal democracies together in times when authoritarian structures are resurgent.'

He added: 'Germany should do everything possible to keep the UK in the EU.

'The most important thing is to keep the door open if the British people decide to reverse their decision by voting on the outcome of the negotiations.'

The former Labour leader said Germany could play a key role in reversing the decision if it joined forces with France to push from reforms that may appeal to the UK.

The former Labour leader said Germany could play a key role in reversing the decision if it joined forces with France to push from reforms that may appeal to the UK

He said: 'Germany can also help to promote a British return to the EU by showing that the EU can change itself.'

Mr Blair said the changing landscape of Europe following recent elections in France and Germany could spark a change of tack from the two nations.

He added: 'I sincerely hope that the new governments in Germany and France will play a leading role in the ambitious EU reforms.

'The reforms are a response to the problems of political unrest and concerns of the people of Europe.'

In February, Mrs Merkel said Germany has not changed its position on Britain leaving the EU, saying she 'deplored it'.

Although she also also admitting the EU also wanted a 'close partnership' in future and signalled that Britain would get a bespoke deal.

The German leader grabbed the opportunity of a joint press conference with Theresa May in Berlin to use tough words to urge quicker progress on Brexit.

Meanwhile, Mrs May repeated her hopes for a 'bold and ambitious' partnership with the EU after Brexit and said coming up with a deal is not a 'one way street'.

Mrs Merkel insisted she still did not know what Britain wanted to achieve in Brexit talks and quipped: 'I'm not frustrated, I'm just curious how Britain envisages this future partnership and obviously we also have our own vested interests.'

He has urged Germany to do more to held push through reforms on Europe that may appeal to the UK

Mrs Merkel said Germany has not changed its position on Britain leaving the EU, saying: 'We deplore it.'

She said that she now wanted to hear from the British on their proposals for a Brexit deal.

'We very much look forward to Britain again setting out its ideas,' she said.

Britain is due to leave officially leave the European Union on Friday March 29, 2019 - although a 21 month 'transition' deal where Britain will remain in the single market remain in place until 31 December, 2020.

The UK will be able to strike its own free trade deals in this period although they will not come into force until January 1, 2021.