ONE of Worcestershire's most successful businessmen is backing Brexit - saying the EU damages job creation and wealth.

Luke Johnson, the multi-millionaire chairman of Patisserie Valerie, has hit out at the bloc for "lacking democracy" and stifling Britain in red tape.

The 54-year-old entrepreneur, who has a house near Malvern, is one of the county's biggest success stories with an estimated personal wealth of £220 million.

He runs a private equity firm called Risk Capital Partners, which has investments around the world and as well as being chairman of Channel 4 television until 2010, turned Pizza Express into a major force before selling it in 1999.

But the investor says he wants Britain to back Leave, insisting the EU is not helping the UK economy.

"I'll be voting Leave because I think that fundamentally, the EU lacks democracy," he said.

"I think democracy is really important for business - 50 per cent of our laws are made in Brussels, they are not made in Westminster.

"And much of this legislation and regulation that the EU likes to create is not good for job creation, and not good for wealth creation.

"So I believe that for those who want to see a more prosperous, free-er and more richer society, we need to vote Leave."

Patisserie Holdings PLC, which he still runs as chairman, was taken public for £170 million last year.

Some of his other interests include being part-owner of Gail's bakeries and Neilson Active Holidays, and being the co-founder of popular restaurant chain Strada.

He created a think tank in 2013 called The Centre for Entrepreneurs and writes a column for The Sunday Times on business.

Mr Johnson's wife is from Worcester and they own a property near Malvern, spending time in both Worcestershire and London.

I’LL BE DOING WHAT I DID IN 1973, SAYS LIB DEM

A FORMER Lib Dem parliamentary candidate in Worcestershire has voiced her fears over Brexit, saying it would "dent our influence worldwide.

Margaret Rowley, who has tried to get elected in Mid-Worcestershire, said she would be doing "exactly the same" on Thursday as she did in 1973 when Britain joined the European Economic Community.

She said: "I will be voting Remain on Thursday for exactly the same reasons as in 1973, which are as valid now as they were then.

"Leaving Europe would seriously and irreversibly dent our influence worldwide and our reputation as a truly internationalist country.

"On June 23rd, the choice is clear - shut ourselves out of decision-making in Europe for good or make the most of our EU membership and reaffirm our intentions to play a leading role on the world stage for generations to come.

"Let's remain influential in the world."