NEWS Scotland is readying itself for a second independence referendum has split opinion in Petersfield.

The announcement by the First Minister of Scotland and Scottish National Party (SNP) leader Nicola Sturgeon preparations are under way for another vote is blamed on the Brexit decision.

The results of the ‘in or out the European Union’ ballot on June 23 saw the UK as a whole electing to leave, while Scotland voted to stay in.

Since then the SNP leader has insisted Scotland would be better of leaving the UK and joining the EU as an independent country, and has asked her team to prepare the referendum paperwork.

But her threat to have another go at breaking away from the UK after the first ballot in September 2014 saw Scotland narrowly elect to remain part of the union, has divided opinion in Petersfield.

Anotida Jaji, from Borough Grove in Petersfield, said: “Scotland should leave, they are far better off as an independent country because they can cope better on their own.

“They will have the opportunity to solve their own problems because they’ll have their own rules and decide for themselves what they want to achieve.”

But a view among those opposed to a second independence referendum was that Scotland would not be able to survive on its own.

Paul Draga, from Rams Hill Estate in Petersfield, said: “I think she’s just stirring the pot, and I think Scotland is too small to survive on it’s own.

“The Scots have already voted to stay so it’s a total waste of time.”

Jonathon Griggs, from Merchistoun Road in Horndean, said: “I don’t like Nicola because I don’t trust politicians in general.

“It’s best to be in the union because that’s the way it has always been, but I understand why the Scots are objecting to Brexit, it’s bad in the long run for trade. “

The second independence bill will be presented to the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood next week.