Unilever has accelerated continental price rises following fears that any changes coinciding with the switch to new euro notes and coins could cause confusion.

Unilever's chairman, Niall FitzGerald is chairman of pro-euro campaign group Britain in Europe.

Tony Blair yesterday had an hour-long breakfast with EC president Romano Prodi, where British and European policy on the single currency was the main topic of conversation.

Elsewhere, the prime minister was accused of timidity for his failure to take a more active pro-euro stance. At the launch of the campaign group City in Europe, former European Commissioner Lord Brittan said Tony Blair should do more to promote the currency.