Labour leader Ed Miliband has raised the prospect of guards lining the 95-mile English-Scottish border if there is a 'Yes' result in Scotland's independence referendum.

In an interview with the Scottish Mail on Sunday, he said: “If you don't want borders, vote to stay in the United Kingdom.” Then, asked if there would need to be border guards, he added: “It would have to be looked at.” With just 12 days to go until the referendum, Labour heavyweights are urging Scottish residents to think carefully about the full implications of a 'yes' vote after the dramatic narrowing of referendum polling. Tonight, unionists were stunned to find a YouGov poll had the Scottish National Party backed campaign for independence in the lead for the first time, posting a 51 to 49 percentage advantage when undecided respondents were removed.

Former Labour Home Secretary David Blunkett later told the Mail on Sunday: “Were the Scots to vote 'yes' to separation, the issue of border controls and the threat of entry through Scottish ports and airports would take on serious proportions.”