Neil Kinnock and Chris Patten are to join the board of the pressure group Britain in Europe.

Kinnock said yesterday: "I'm pleased to be joining the Britain in Europe board. The reason is very basic.

"I want to combat the Euroneurotic wreckers, beat the bigots and their myths, argue for improvements in the union and sustain the case for full, influential engagement.

"In all that, the facts about Europe and about Britain's role in it must be mobilised."