SIX local faith leaders have put their names to a letter urging people to think carefully about the implication of a vote leave in today's EU referendum.

The UK public is being asked to choose whether the UK should stay in the European Union or leave in the first vote on the UK's links with Europe for more than 40 years.

More than 46 million people are eligible to vote in the referendum. Polls opened at 7am today and will close at 10pm. A decision is expected tomorrow morning.

In a joint letter to the Gazette and Observer, the Rev Alastair Kirk, of St Mary’s Church, Burley in Wharfedale; the Rev Andrew Atkins, co-ordinating chaplain at Leeds/Bradford Airport and vicar of Guiseley, Hawksworth and Yeadon Methodist churches; the Rev Dr Keith Jones, team enabler at Shipley Baptist Church and president of the Baptist Historical Society of Great Britain; the Rev Ruth Yeoman, of Menston Parish Church; the Rev Tim Perkins, Burley-in-Wharfedale, Menston and Addingham Methodist churches; and the Rev Lesley Taylor, of Otley Methodist Church, all urge local residents to reflect on their decision.

It says: "Faith is about integration and building bridges, not about isolation and erecting barriers.

"As leaders of faith communities, we urge our co-religionists and others to think about the implications of a leave vote for the things about which we are most passionate.

"The past 70 years have been the longest period of peace in Europe’s history. Institutions that enable us to work together and understand both our differences and what we share in common contribute to our increased security and sense of collective endeavour.

"What’s more, so many of the challenges we face today can only be addressed in a European, and indeed a global, context: combatting poverty in the developing world, confronting climate change and providing the stability that is essential to tackling the current migration crisis.

"We hope that when voting on June 23, people will reflect on whether undermining the international institutions charged with delivering these goals could conceivably contribute to a fairer, cleaner and safer world."

l See pages 12 and 13 for further comment on this issue