More than 200 celebrities and public figures have urged Scotland to vote No in the referendum on whether the country should leave the UK

Sir Mick Jagger, Sir Bruce Forsyth, Dame Judi Dench, Simon Cowell and Professor Stephen Hawking are among the famous names to sign an open letter ahead of the vote on Scottish independence.

Read the full list of celebrities who signed the letter here

It says: "The decision on whether to leave our shared country is, of course, absolutely yours alone.

"Nevertheless, that decision will have a huge effect on all of us in the rest of the United Kingdom.

"We want to let you know how very much we value our bonds of citizenship with you, and to express our hope that you will vote to renew them.

"What unites us is much greater than what divides us. Let's stay together."

The letter was organised by TV historians Tom Holland and Dan Snow ahead of the poll on September 18.

The list of 215 names which includes Oscar and Grammy winners, Olympic medallists and a Nobel prize recipient represents "the best of British talent and intellect" according to Let's Stay Together campaign.

Snow said: "I feel passionately about Britain and everything we've achieved together throughout our long shared history across these islands. I don't have a vote in the Scottish referendum but I certainly have a view and I really hope that our shared country stays together.

"That's why Tom and I have brought together a list of people who represent the best of British and share that view. But more than the celebrities, this is the view of the majority of people in the rest of the UK."

Lord Sugar, who has signed the letter, said: "It's for Scotland to decide how to vote but it has consequences for all of us. That's why so many of us have come together to say: let's stay together. We've achieved so much together and I know we can achieve so much more."

Members of the public will be encouraged to add their name to the letter when it goes on tour across the country this week.

The open letter was presented near Tower Bridge in central London today as historians Snow and Holland were joined by TV presenters Ben Fogle and June Sarpong.

Among the famous names to have signed the letter are Olympic stars Sir Ben Ainslie, Tom Daley and Sir Steve Redgrave, broadcasters Sir David Attenborough and Sir Michael Parkinson and Hollywood stars Helena Bonham-Carter, Sir Patrick Stewart and Michael Douglas.

Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sting and Sir Cliff Richard are also on the list along with comedians David Walliams, Steve Coogan, Ronnie Corbett and Eddie Izzard.

Baroness Lawrence, whose teenage son Stephen was murdered by racists in 1993, has also backed the campaign.