An English town dubbed 'little Scotland' has held its own mock independence referendum.

Organisers of the annual Highland Gathering in Corby, Northamptonshire, said 72% of the 576 voters who took part in its ballot said No to independence.

The town is home to thousands of people of Scottish descent after a downturn in the steel industry in the Clyde Valley led many workers there in the 1930s and 40s.

Described as a "fun, mock election", polling ran from 9am to 4pm at the Charter Field in Corby, where organisers said there were 414 no votes and 162 votes in favour of independence.

Labour's shadow Scottish secretary Margaret Curran was in Corby today urging voters there to back the United Kingdom in the ballot, which is being held just over two months before Scots go to the polls to decide the country's future on September 18.

Ms Curran urged people living in the English town to make their views known, even though they will not have a say in the independence referendum in September.

The Glasgow East MP said: "We see in Corby a graphic illustration of the close bonds of family and friendship that exist between Scotland the rest of the UK. People are here because they came to work, to build families and to take advantage of new opportunities.

"Most people in the rest of the UK and most people in Scotland don't want what the Nationalists want - to break every political tie we have with each other. Instead, they want to carry on working together and people in Corby today wanted to say clearly to Scots, 'please don't go'.

Organiser Mark Pengelly, a Labour councillor, said around 4,000 people attended the Gathering and the majority of those who voted had Scottish links.

He said: "There was not a bad turnout, with 72% clearly saying no to independence.

"When the results were announced I was surprised by the cheer - it was massive."

The Corby Highland Gathering features pipe bands and Highland dancing, and is said to be the biggest such event held outside Scotland.

It is held outdoors and, just like Scotland, the turnout often depends on the weather. Organisers believe up to 8,000 people could attend if the conditions are good.

Corby resident Linda Cassidy said: "I moved to Corby in 1977, but living outside of Scotland has never made me feel any less Scottish. I won't have a vote in September, but I do have a view and I hope everyone in Corby will make their views heard today.

"Being part of the UK meant that I was able to come to Corby to work and to take advantage of the opportunities that were on offer. I want my children to be able to have the same opportunity - to move back to Scotland and live and work there if they want to. I don't want Scotland to turn into a foreign country."

Sarah-Jane Walls, a spokeswoman for Yes Scotland, said: "This debate is about whether we want to put Scotland's future in Scotland's hands to help us create a better, fairer country for ourselves and our children.

"The strong social union that exists between Scotland and the other nations in these isles will continue and indeed be enhanced after a Yes vote.

"Independence will be good not only for Scotland but also for the rest of the UK because it will help to rebalance the economy and create a partnership of equals."