BRITISH companies have seen stronger growth in exports to the EU than to North America and Asia in the last two years, according to a new survey.

The Institute of Directors’ snapshot of almost 800 company directors found more than two out of five company bosses found most business growth in the EU compared to just one in five citing North America or Asia. Two thirds of those polled exported goods, up seven per cent on 2013.

Allie Renison of the IoD said: "The immediate focus should be on reaching a successful deal with the EU that puts maintaining market access at the heart of its priorities. Steadying the ship will enable the UK to navigate a clear path to a truly global future.

"The importance of the EU as a growth market for IoD members combined with the clear advantage that business leaders see in new trade agreements shows just how eager businesses are to embrace global Britain.”

Ms Renison, head of Europe and trade policy at the IoD, said the statistics showed the UK had to “get real about trade and fast”.

"Going global is as much about opportunities in Europe as it is further afield and this should be reflected in how the Government shapes post-Brexit Britain," she added.

The pro-EU Open Britain seized on the survey. A leading supporter, Labour’s Chris Leslie, said: “Ministers seem prepared to jeopardise trade with our largest trading partner in pursuit of fantasy trade deals around the world but it is increasingly clear that this is a huge mistake.

“In fact, business leaders believe Europe is the region with the best prospects for UK export growth over the next five years.”

Mr Leslie, the former Shadow Chancellor, added: “We currently have the best of both worlds: frictionless trade with Europe and extensive trade links with the rest of the world, including trade deals with more than 65 countries. Given this, everyone is right to keep an open mind as to whether Brexit is the right path for our country to be on.”

Meanwhile, new figures show that the number of UK nationals granted citizenship of another EU country more than doubled in 2016.

A total of 6,555 applications were approved in 2016 - the year of the Brexit vote - up from 2,478 in 2015.

It is the highest number since records began in 2002, according to the EU statistics body Eurostat.

Some 41 per cent of applications were for German citizenship, 15 per cent were for Swedish citizenship and 10 per cent for Dutch.

Jonathan Portes, Professor of Economics at King's College, London, said: "The increase in Britons acquiring the nationality of other EU countries is obviously driven by the prospect of Brexit, which is very likely to make UK citizenship much less useful for working, living and travelling elsewhere in the EU.

"It would be very surprising if this trend did not continue," he added.

During a whistlestop visit to Denmark and Sweden to talk Brexit, Theresa May signalled her Government's goal of cutting net annual immigration below 100,000 would remain in place after Brexit.

The Prime Minister said she wanted to "continue to work to ensure that we address that particular target" after she was asked whether it would still be in place after Britain left the EU.

"I recognise that UK citizens will still want to come and study and work in countries in the EU 27 like Denmark, and EU citizens like Danish citizens will still want to come and work and study in the UK," she explained.

Addressing a press conference inside Christiansborg Castle alongside her Danish counterpart Lars Rasmussen, Mrs May said the pair had discussed the "key questions that remain to be resolved" over Brexit as well as "our future economic and security partnership".

"As I have said before, I am ambitious for the scale and the scope of this relationship and I want to ensure we maintain the closest possible links with our European allies,” said the PM.

"I understand that future arrangements for Denmark's fishing industry are of particular interest to you and, as an independent coastal state, we will want to ensure fair and reciprocal access to waters," she said.

Mr Rasmussen warned Britain’s decision to quit the single market "comes with a price tag" for both Britain and Denmark.