MORE than 200 celebrities and public figures urged Scotland yesterday to vote No in the upcoming independence referendum.

Mick Jagger, Dame Judi Dench and Professor Stephen Hawking are among the famous names to sign an open letter ahead of the September poll.

“The decision on whether to leave our shared country is, of course, absolutely yours alone,” the letter states.

“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.

Asked why he wanted Scotland to remain part of the UK, Mr Snow replied: “Because of all the things we’ve shared in the past, all the achievements we’ve had, all the exciting things going on at the present.

“I’ve travelled a lot across the rest of the world and I’ve seen what happens when people focus on division or on difference, and I’ve seen what happens when people focus on unity. For me, my experience, the latter is better.”

The Let’s Stay Together campaign claimed the list of 215 names represented “the best of British talent and intellect.”