WORCESTER'S MP has been on a whistle-stop tour of Scotland for Brexit talks - and says it is more important than ever the UK now stays together.

Brexit minister Robin Walker has warned First Minister Nicola Sturgeon that a break-up of the nation would only make both countries "weaker" ahead of the critical EU negotiations ahead.

Last month Ms Sturgeon said Prime Minister Theresa May's threat of a 'hard' Brexit would only fuel calls for a second independence poll north of the border.

Mr Walker, who was in Glasgow and then Edinburgh during his two-day visit earlier this week, said the firms he spoke to made it clear their businesses depend on a united island.

"It was a concern to businesses in Scotland that she may try to use it as an excuse to hold a second referendum," he said.

"The ones I spoke to wanted to make a case for the UK and in fact Ruth Davidson has just made a really good speech about that.

"I think there is more of a case for the United Kingdom than ever, and that Scotland leaving would only make all of us weaker."

Mr Walker also said Worcestershire's flooding problems came up during his stay, amid talks with the UK's biggest forestry company, BSW Mill & Confor, based in Fort William.

The company provides 40 per cent of all the pine trees in Britain and wants Government policy tweaked to incentive more tree planting on hillsides.

By encouraging more tree planting in areas like North Wales, on public and private land, it means less water water-run off into the River Severn and ultimately less flooding risk in Worcestershire.

"If we can tweak our policies and get more tree planting it'll help reduce water run-off and we'll get less flooding in Worcester," said Mr Walker.

"Chris Davies, an MP in Wales has made this point and if we managed to achieve it, it'll also help that company in Scotland and the UK economy."

Mr Walker also spoke to people from the University of Glasgow, a life sciences body, the Scotch Whisky Association and leaders in the tourism industry.

Last month Ms Sturgeon said the UK was heading for a 'hard Brexit' that "threatens to be economically catastrophic", calling a second independence referendum "more likely".

She has accused Mrs May of ignoring Scotland's wishes.