Out of 2000 British adults polled, 57% were against adopting the euro, while just 21% were in favour.

The government has said it will put the issue to a referendum once its five economic tests for the euro have been passed.

They include whether its introduction would be good for jobs, for foreign investment, and for the City, and whether the UK economy was marching in step with other European countries, and whether it had enough flexibility to adjust if it was not.

Young and old

Another 14% of those polled were still undecided on the euro, while 8% did not care either way.

The poll suggested that more women than men oppose adopting the new currency - 59% as opposed to 55% - and that the pound was supported most strongly by the young and the old, with 62% of 16-24 year-olds and over 55s rejecting the euro.

Across the UK, the areas most in favour of adopting the euro were London, at 25% and Scotland, at 28%.

The survey was conducted by FX Currency Services.