David Cameron, at this week's EU summit, urged voters to think of their children at the referendum

David Cameron today appealed to voters to think about their children as they decide how they vote in the EU referendum.

The Prime Minister said his 'fear' ahead of June's historic poll was a low turn out handing victory to the Brexit campaign.

Mr Cameron recalled the Second World War as he made his case, insisting to the Independent on Sunday his In campaign was winning the 'rational' case on the EU but need a 'dose' of patriotic fervour.

The Prime Minister said he was teaching his children Britain was 'special' and a country that was supposed to be part of international organisations such as the EU.

And in an appeal to voters, Mr Cameron said: 'Think about your children, think about your grandchildren, think about the country and the world you want them to grow up in.

'It must be a world in which we are trying to cooperate and work together more with other countries.

'It is worth standing back and thinking here we are, 70 years after the end of the Second World War …

'This continent which was in conflict for so much of the 20th Century has found a way of peaceful coexistence, and that is something we should want to be part of and want to share in.'

Mr Cameron said Brexit would be like 'pressing pause' on the country's development.

And he told the newspaper he felt confident that he would persuade most people staying in was the 'rational thing' to.

But with the polls showing the referendum on a knife edge, Mr Cameron warned: 'My fear is turn-out.

'A lot of people might think: ''Well, in the end, it's the rational thing to stay, but I'll let other people make that choice for me.''

Sir John Major said voters had to choose between Great Britain and Little Britain

'Don't. This is very close, no doubt about it.'

Mr Cameron's position was endorsed today by his Tory predecessor in Number 10.

Sir John Major said the referendum would be 'momentous' as he warned Britain should stay in.

In a Sunday Telegraph feature, he said: 'On issues such as the environment, climate change, internet costs and consumer protection, the UK can best progress – or sometimes only progress – in unity with our fellow Europeans.

'In an uncertain world the UK, as part of the EU, is better able to face up to the aggressive policies of hostile nations.

'We are safer, because the EU has brought together former enemies to face common perils. In the last thousand years of history, no previous generation has been so fortunate.

'It would be sheer folly to put this all at risk.'

Sir John said he hoped Britain's children and grandchildren would be 'proud' of today's voters when history reflects on the campaign.

And he warned: 'As a result of a UK exit, the political influence of the EU would be diminished – especially when considered against the power of the United States or China.

'Without the UK, Europe – the cradle of modern civilisation – would fall to a lower significance.

'The Referendum decision on 23 June is not a prelude to further negotiation. It will be final.

'Our nation can either decide to be true to our history – and remain outward-looking internationalists on the world stage – or shrink to lower prominence.

'It will be a fateful choice: Great Britain or Little Britain.'