The 'Little Scotland' that would vote No if it could

By Paul Davies: ITV News Correspondent

You soon discover why they call Corby "Little Scotland". Everywhere you hear accents that have their origins in Glasgow, Aberdeen and Scotland's other cities.

Thousands of Scottish workers and their families travelled south to Northamptonshire in the '30s looking for work in the giant steel plant.

They remain there today, the largest Scottish exile community complete with bagpipes, Highland dancing troupes and a passionate interest in the independence vote.

Unlike their relatives north of the border there is not an even split of opinion in Corby.

They are not entitled to vote, but if they could it would be an overwhelming "No".

At the popular Grampian Club today they interrupted a game of bowls to voice their fears in the event of a Yes victory.

The club's oldest member, 91-year-old David McQuiston, said, "It took 200 years for our separate countries to get together, now they want to throw it away".

Chris McAllister added, "I am Scots first but I am also British and this is too small an island to split up. We will all lose".

Marica Turner said she was worried about the ill feeling and resentment that would remain regardless of which side came out on top.

"I've just returned from visiting my family and people were being really horrible to each other, particularly the Yes supporters, who were tearing down their opponents posters and shouting down their speakers," she said.

Just like north of the border, the independence issue has divided families.

At Thringstone, another Scottish exile community, former miner John Linden listened to his son, also John, make the case for independence.

"It's crazy," said John senior. "In my view it would be like committing economic suicide. They would be sorry but it would be too late then."

Corby has already made it's feelings known, an unofficial referendum in which more than 70% voted No.

They know the real vote will be much much closer.