BUSINESS people from across Weymouth, Portland and Dorchester heard about the possible impact of a Brexit.

Having organised an event to discuss the case for leaving the EU, the Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce and Dorchester Chamber for Business organised an event for the ‘remain’ case.

Both events were aimed at giving people a better understanding of the issues before the vote in the EU referendum on June 23.

Speaking at Saturday’s meeting, MP for West Dorset Oliver Letwin said it is possible for the UK to have the ‘best of both worlds’ if it remains in the EU.

He told the Echo he believes the country can remain a full part of the free trade single market that without getting the Euro and the’ fiscal and political union that will inevitably occur within the Eurozone.’

He said that after he spoke there was a ‘serious, thoughtful and sober-minded discussion about the risks and benefits of remaining on this basis in the free trade single market or leaving.’

“It was good to have an opportunity to have such a serious and thoughtful discussion with people genuinely interested in a great question facing our country -- with no slogans and no mention of personalities,” he said.

Before the event, Shenis Cant, vice president of Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce, said: “Across our two events, we’re providing a balanced look at the EU debate and we are hoping to bring another EU remain event that will be open to the public.”

The out event took place earlier this month and guest speakers included MP for South Dorset Richard Drax and Ukip and MEP Nigel Farage.

The chambers have adopted a neutral stance in the debate and will not be campaigning for either side.

Full details of the public event in June will be released in due course.