A Brexit vote would make Europe and the UK more secure as it would stop the “dangerous” integration of armies of EU member states, two senior French Admirals have said.

In a letter in The Telegraph Vice admiral Michel Debray and Rear Admiral Claude Gaucherand say the UK would not be "diminished" by a vote to leave the EU but would prevent the "inevitable and dangerous" development of an EU fighting force.

They add that the UK's neighbours will want to "cooperate on close and friendly terms" even if Britain is outside the bloc because it is such a strong military and economic power.

The men, who both support a vote to leave, also warn that "scaremongering" about the UK's military prowess after a possible Brexit "makes no sense" because Britain would "remain a major force".