THE Union flag will fly over council halls in Hampshire as civic chiefs back the bid to save the Union.

They are backing the Daily Echo’s stand to save the 300-year-old Union, with Scottish voters set to make a decision on independence in just eight days.

The battle between the Yes and No campaigns has intensified in the run-up to the big vote on September 18 and the two sides are currently neck and neck in the polls.

This paper has joined the battle to keep Scotland in the UK as we believe we are truly better together.

The Daily Echo is asking everyone in Hampshire to show their support for the Better Together campaign by flying the Union flag at their home or workplace.

Our exclusive poll revealed that 69.8 per cent of people asked want the Scots to stay, while this paper has also reported on the potential repercussions independence could have for the economies both north and south of the border.

It comes as Labour leader Ed Miliband called on towns and cities across England to fly the Scottish Saltire in a bid to show Scots that they are a valuable part of the Union.

He launched his campaign yesterday in Liverpool with the city’s mayor Joe Anderson.

The leaders of both Southampton City Council and Hampshire County Council have pledged to fly the Union flag ahead of the referendum.

County council leader Cllr Roy Perry said that the flag would go up over the authority’s offices in Winchester today.

He said: “I am sure people in Hampshire value the Union, just as we very much welcome the contribution many Scottish people make to Hampshire.

“We may be as far away from Scotland as we can be but the Union is of great value to England as well as the Scots.

“Congratulations to the Daily Echo for its initiative in this campaign. For far too long voices in England have been silent while the Union that is as much ours as the Scots' is at risk of being lost. I am hopeful that the Scots people value the Union as much as we do and vote to keep it.”

Cllr Perry said that the council would only fly the Union flag and not the Saltire.

In Southampton a Union flag is already flying over the Civic Centre.

Council leader Cllr Simon Letts said: “We will fly a Union flag at the front of the building from tomorrow until the referendum.

“This is to show solidarity with the campaigners in Scotland who want to keep the Union as one.”

Cllr Letts added that he would “actively consider” flying the Saltire at the Civic Centre as well.

Today more of the county’s MPs backed the Daily Echo’s stance and have pleaded with Scots to vote 'No' on September 18, while also highlighting the impact a 'Yes' vote would have on us here in Hampshire.

Romsey and Southampton North MP Caroline Nokes said: “This vote will have economic, social and political implications that will affect everyone in the UK, from the richest to the poorest in society, and across the whole of the UK.

“From contact with constituents I know many people are worried about the future of their pensions and any economic uncertainty that would undoubtedly occur post-independence.

“Alex Salmond has been unable to explain his currency plans and his threats to renege on the national debt should worry every British person.

“We cannot allow Alex Salmond to risk the jobs and houses of people within my constituency. Scotland and England are undoubtedly better and stronger together.”

Winchester MP Steve Brine said: “My constituents are taking an extremely keen interest in the Scottish referendum and wish, as I do, that we had a vote as well because this decision will impact on the rest of the United Kingdom every bit as much as it will in Scotland.

“Of course life in Winchester and Chandler’s Ford will carry on if the Scots vote to break away this month but we will all be that bit poorer as a nation-state, albeit admittedly not finncially, given the funds sent to the Treasury by those of us in the south, if they do.”

Yesterday the three main political parties at Westminster united to pledge more powers for Scotland if voters reject independence.

Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown laid out a timetable for new powers to be transferred north on Monday.