Trafford Council is officially calling for a second Brexit referendum.

Across Greater Manchester, only Stockport Council have done the same, while Manchester Council leader Sir Richard Leese said a second vote would “rip the country apart”.

In the June 2016 election, Trafford voted by 57.7 per cent to remain in the EU.

At a full council meeting last night, council leader Counc Andrew Western introduced a motion demanding the choice to leave the EU was put back to the people nationally and the motion was passed by a majority of councillors.

He said: “I know there is a divergence of views on what Brexit will mean. But I see no greater threat to the future prosperity of our borough. There is no greater threat to Trafford, other than perhaps our Prime Minister.

“We are stood on the edge of a precipice which will be a disaster for our country and particularly here in Trafford.

“We have industrial strength in Trafford Park, the Trafford Centre and a strong economy. We will feel businesses start to struggle and businesses leaving the UK more than most.

“A no deal Brexit means no meals when there are food shortages, no wheels when there are fuel shortages and will mean noone heals when medicines can’t get through.

“It will be an unimaginable catastrophe for our country in the absence of a credible Brexit deal.”

The council leader added that, if a second referendum were called, he believes Remain would win and he would personally campaign to Remain and “bring the country back together.”

Counc Tom Ross, cabinet member for finance, said: “It has unleashed hell on this country and it is costing our economy already. The notion of no deal is seriously worrying.

“Budgets are already very tight and this could blow a hole in future budgets. That is the reality of Brexit. We are at deadlock at a national level and we need to put the matter back to the people.”

But not everyone in the chamber was convinced.

Conservative group leader Coun Nathan Evans said: “The Prime Minister has been hamstrung in negotiations nationally. But there has been an absolute committment to upholding the law.

“I fail to see why are we discussing this here.”

Despite the Conservative group’s misgivings, the motion was passed.