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David Cameron has pleaded for Britain to stay in the EU to help prevent the Continent being ripped apart by another conflict.

Mr Cameron today highlighted the UK’s role in bringing peace to Europe as he hit the referendum campaign trail - just hours before a rival speech by rival Tory MP Boris Johnson.

Introduced by Labour ex-Foreign Secretary David Miliband at the British Museum in London, he said: "Can we be so sure peace and stability on our continent are assured beyond any shadow of doubt? Is that a risk worth taking?

"I would never be so rash to make that assumption."

But he was attacked hours later by Brexit-backing Mr Johnson, who said: "People should think very hard before they make these kinds of warnings.

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"No, I don't believe that leaving the EU would cause World War Three to break out on the European continent."

And Mr Cameron's spokesman admitted the government has made no contingency plans for a Leave vote in the June 23 referendum - despite the warning of war.

(Image: Getty)

Mr Cameron evoked the image of the lines of fallen British soldiers' graves on the continent.

He referred to Britain’s role in “pivotal moments in European history: Blenheim, Trafalgar, Waterloo, our country’s heroism in the Great War and, most of all, our lone stand in 1940”.

He added: "What happens in our neighbourhood matters to Britain. That was true in 1914, 1940, 1989.... and it is true in 2016."

And he recalled how Winston Churchill “argued passionately for Western Europe to come together, to promote free trade and build institutions which would endure so our continent would never again see such bloodshed”.

Read more:World War Two heroes reveal the brave reason they want people to vote to stay in EU

The Prime Minister said many threats to stability still remain - from a "newly belligerent Russia" to the so-called Islamic State and migration crisis.

(Image: WPA Pool)

“When terrorists are planning to kill and maim people on British streets, the closest possible security cooperation is far more important than sovereignty in its purest theoretical form," he said.

He said that during his six years in Downing Street, “the terrorist threat against this country has grown”.

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The Tory leader added: “Our threat level is now at severe, which means a terrorist attack is highly likely.

“Indeed, such an attack could happen at any time.”

Brexit would be “an abject act of national retreat”, the PM said.

(Image: Getty Images)

“Let's not walkaway from institutions that helps us win the in the world,” he pleaded.

The PM also launched an attack on his close friend, Justice Secretary Michael Gove, who yesterday called for the UK to leave the Single Market if Britain votes Out.

Mr Cameron hit back saying: “I can only describe this as a reckless and irresponsible course.

“These are people's jobs and livelihoods.”

Mr Cameron was introduced by former Labour Foreign Minister David Miliband as party politics was put aside to make the argument to remain in Europe.

(Image: PA)

It comes as ex-Chief of the Defence Staff, Field Marshal Lord Bramall, and three other war veterans made a video plea to pensioners to vote In.

Lord Bramall, 92, said of Brexit: “We would be going backwards in what we set out to cure after the terrible tragedies of the Second World War.”

Meanwhile Justice Secretary Michael Gove dismissed as “flat wrong” claims by ex-MI6 chief Sir John Sawers that Brexit could affect UK ability to protect against terrorism.

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Peers will warn that Mr Gove’s plan to replace the European Convention on Human Rights with a British Bill of Rights will damage the country’s moral authority.

Chancellor George Osborne added his call to quit the Single Market would be “catastrophic” to jobs, house values and mortgage costs.

A YouGov poll for Good Morning Britain found 42% of voters back In and 40% Out.