IT is a once in a lifetime chance to have a vote that will have a huge impact on future generations in Britain.

Millions of people will line polling stations on June 23 to have their say on Britain's relationship with Europe.

But tens of thousands of people in Hampshire will miss out on their chance to determine whether or not the UK should stay part of the European Union.

These are the ones who still haven't signed up for a polling card - and time is running out to register as the deadline is tomorrow.

Millions dropped off the electoral register between July 2014 and December 2015 when the process changed forcing people to register as individuals rather than households.

More than 53,000 adults in Hampshire still haven't registered - including up to 30,707 in Southampton.

Another 5,000 Eastleigh residents, almost 7,000 in Winchester, up to 6,679 in the New Forest and as many as 2,772 in Fareham won't be receiving a polling card.

But people living in Test Valley are the most organised - as the Electoral Commission is waiting for fewer than 1,000 registrations from residents.

The numbers are based on the latest population figures from the Ticthfield-based Office of National Statistics (ONS).

Meanwhile 750,000 polling cards are already on their way to homes across the county including 166,000 in Southampton, 139,404 in the New Forest, 96,132 in Eastleigh, 93,362 in Test Valley, 87,225 in Winchester and 89,312 in Fareham.

They include those who have requested a postal vote.

Now Hampshire's business chiefs, education leaders and politicians are urging unregistered voters to get signed up before the deadline.

It comes after comedian Eddie Izzard urged young people to ensure they vote when he addressed 350 students at a key stand-up show in Switch nightclub in Southampton as part of his mammoth 31 city tour for the Remain campaign.

Labour MP for Southampton Test Alan Whitehead said: "It's still an enormous figure. The method of registering changed last year so a lot of people who were registered are now not registered which led to a drop off of about 10,000 people in Southampton.

"It's a once in a lifetime vote and it decides the future direction of the UK. It's not like another election where you can say 'I can't vote this year but maybe next year' - this is it."

Stewart Dunn, chief executive of Hampshire Chamber of Commerce said he was surprised that so many still hadn't applied for their polling card.

He said: "We find it incredibly surprising that registrations are as low as 80 per cent given the huge publicity and the huge importance that this vote has. It's so important that everybody registers and turns out to vote."

Conservative MP for New Forest West Desmond Swayne added: "I'm surprised that so many people aren't registered because most people would be registered anyway for previous elections.

"Everyone should vote. This is a vitally important question that will effect our future for decades."

Their pleas to voters were echoed by Southampton Itchen MP Royston Smith, Romsey and Southampton North MP Caroline Nokes, Eastleigh's Mims Davies and Winchester MP Steve Brine, who are all Conservatives.

Education leaders have been part of a major push to encourage college and university students to register and vote.

Gavin Costigan, director of public policy at the University of Southampton, said: "It is a well-known problem across the UK that young people are less likely to vote than older people, even though in many cases their votes could hold the balance of power.

"The decision taken in the EU Referendum will have a greater effect on the young than the old - whilst elections are only for a few years, it's likely that the whole of their working lives will be affected by what the UK decides on 23rd June.

"Whatever costs and benefits there might be as a result of the vote, they are the generation of workers and taxpayers who will pay those costs or reap those benefits."

Sian Blackmore, who is spearheading the Remain campaign in Hampshire, said: "This is a huge decision for the British public and it is vital that people register to vote. Britain is safer and stronger in the EU, with full access to the world’s biggest single market. Leaving the EU would be a leap in the dark.”

Vote Leave spokeswoman Sophy Norris said: "It is important people go out and vote. They can vote whichever way they want but if they have an opinion and they haven't registered they won't be able to vote. Time is running out and if they don't register they won't have a chance."

Who can vote in the referendum?

Voting is open British, Irish and Commonwealth citizens living in the UK and British expats living overseas who have been registered to vote in the UK in the last 15 years.

Any eligible over 18 who wishes to vote on June 23 must register by Tuesday by visiting gov.uk/register-to-vote.

Paper applications are available by calling the city or borough council.

Anyone who had registered to vote in the May 2016 PCC and council elections or the General Election in May 2015 do not need to register again unless they have moved home.