VAN drivers are in the dark over which way to go when it comes to the EU in or out referendum, according to research by Mercedes-Benz.

A study carried out by the German car and van maker reveals that most drivers don't know enough about the EU referendum to make an informed choice.

A quarter of Brits who drive a van for a living said they don't feel confident enough in their knowledge to know how to vote, while nearly 30% are unsure if Britain leaving the EU will have an impact on their business or the businesses they work for, meaning many of them are still unsure of which box to tick on June 23.

According to Mercedes almost 60% (58%) believe, to an extent, that the EU imposes too many rules on businesses, although a fifth (19%) of van drivers flagged concerns that working hours in the UK will worsen if the UK were to vote to leave the EU, with 40% concerned that it would be harder to trade with the rest of the UK.

Just over 40% (41%) believe that Britain's status in the world would be damaged by leaving the EU, making the country ‘less secure'.

However, 46% of van drivers felt the country would have greater control of its borders if the UK votes to leave, with nearly 70% (67%) wanting Britain to reduce the number of migrants coming to the UK to work anyway.

The study revealed that at this stage, 22% of van drivers don't know whether they are going to vote to remain in, or leave the EU, while, a third confirmed they will vote to remain in, and 40% said they'll vote to leave.

Official figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have shown that UK industry entered recession following two successive quarters of shrinking output. The ONS measured falls of 0.4% in both the final quarter of 2015 and in the first three months of this year - a technical recession for the sector.

However, the ONS also measured growth of 0.3% between February and March, highlighting further confusion for the public as to the state of the nation.

Steve Bridge, managing director of Mercedes-Benz Vans UK, said: "The nation's van drivers support the foundations of this country, so their unease in knowing which way to vote is a big indicator of the uncertainties facing the UK public as a whole. Our research highlights real concerns from van drivers, which needs to be addressed by both the Vote Leave and Stronger In campaigns.

"When you then factor in that the UK is in a ‘technical' recession, but has also measured growth, it is no wonder that van drivers feel unsure of what to do for the best."