YOUNGSTERS are being targeted with pro-European propaganda as a back-door attempt to introduce the single currency into the UK, it is claimed.

Leading Euro-critic José O'Ware was furious to find shops in the borough selling chocolate Euro coins aimed at children.

Mrs O'Ware, a member of the UK Independence Party, said: "This is a deliberate attempt to soften up the public about the Euro.

"It is not being introduced in countries which have joined the single currency until next year.

"The UK government has said it will only join if the people vote yes in a referendum.

"But these coins are all part of a plan to make it appear as though joining the single currency is inevitable and it is only a matter of time before the UK signs up for it."

The European Union is currently in the news after it was revealed taxes and VAT rates could be increased to bring Britain into line with other member countries.

But North London MEP Pauline Green is standing by earlier claims that goods such as food and children's clothing would remain exempt from VAT in the UK.

The European Commission has also been accused of targeting children with a propaganda comic called the Rasberry Ice Cream Wars.

Between 60,000 and 75,000 English copies were produced but not distributed after opponents hit out at some of the contents.

Designed to promote the idea of a united Europe, the story centres around three youngsters who find themselves transported back in time to a pre-EU "Dark Age."

Gerald Hartup, a director of the Freedom Association which campaigns against a federal Europe, believes he knows why the comic's UK launch has been axed.

He said: "Perhaps the problem is the brash claim in the comic that `border controls went out ages ago' when this is certainly not the case for the UK or Irish Republic.

"The British government continues to oppose ending our right to control entry into our country.

"Or there may be hesitation over the comic's premature claim that `we're even going to have the same currency soon as well. It's called the Euro.'

"This arrogantly ignores the fact that this is a contentious issue not even recommended by this Labour administration and hiding the fact that it would need to be put to a referendum of the British people first."

A spokesman for the European Commission said: "There is not an issue. That publication is not being distributed in this country.

"We already have publications for a UK audience which have been distributed."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000.Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.