BRITAIN has "absolutely nothing to fear" from quitting the European Union, Boris Johnson told a gathering of more than 200 business and political leaders in Bournemouth.

The MP, former London Mayor and the face of the Vote Leave campaign said: "I believe if we get out now, we will prosper and flourish as never before. If we are brave, June 24 will be independence day."

Mr Johnson was addressing a dinner at the Highcliff Marriott to mark 50 years of the Sixty Six Club - a business organisation supporting the Bournemouth West Conservatives and set up John (now Lord) Eden, the MP at the time.

Thursday's event was organised by the current MP Conor Burns.

Lord Eden, now 90, was a guest at the dinner.

Mr Johnson, who had followed around by a gorilla in Hampshire earlier in the day said: "What is going on now in Europe bears absolutely no relation to what we signed up to."

He said the Euro had caused mayhem and the UK had much to fear from anti-democratic proposals to create a government of Europe.

There would be more federalism and centralisation.

"If we stay we will become embroiled and we will not be able to escape. We must end our subservience to EU regulation and we must regain control over immigration."

He added: "And why do we have to subsidise Portuguese bullfighting? Search me guv."

The fear factor was being ratcheted up by the Remain side he claimed.

"These are the same people who predicted disaster if we did not join the Euro."

In a video interview with the Daily Echo, Mr Johnson denied that 4,000 banking jobs would at risk in Bournemouth if Britain pulled out.

J.P. Morgan has said it wants the country to stay in Europe.

And on becoming leader of the Tory party he added: It's not going to happen."

AFC Bournemouth chairman, Jeff Mostyn, presented Mr Johnson, Conor Burns and Lord Eden with replica shirts with 66 on the back.

"I think Boris' shirt should have had the number 10 on the back," he said - a comment received with rapturous applause.