BREXIT boss Michael Gove visited Hampshire this afternoon and declared that the south held the key to the EU referendum result.

Mr Gove said Southampton, Portsmouth and Bournemouth represented a microcosm of the UK - but refused to predict the outcome of the poll.

He spoke out during a brief visit to Southampton city centre.

Accompanied by Penny Mordaunt, Tory MP for Portsmouth North, Mr Gove said a vote to leave the UK would represent a vote of confidence in Britain.

He added: "this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to take back control and end the business as usual approach adopted by Brussels and Strasbourg.

"The referendum will be decided on the south coast. Portsmouth, Southampton and Bournemouth represent a microcosm of the UK.

"But people are split down the middle and every vote will count. I hope the turnout will be high - it's a critical moment in the history of our country."

Asked which way he thought it would go he added: "It's too close to call.

Mr Gove toured the city centre handing out leaflets to shoppers and traders.

Most of the people he spoke to wished him good luck and said they would be voting in favour of Britain leaving the UK.

At one point he spotted a Sprinkles cafe and offered to buy Ms Mordaunt an ice cream, saying it was a "traditional part of campaigning".

She chose a mango sorbet but Mr Gove decided not to have one himself.