The Yes campaign is well ahead

Last-minute polls suggested about three quarters of voters were in favour of EU entry.

The country is one of eight eastern European nations being offered admission to the EU next May.

President Arnold Ruutel said EU membership was the logical choice for Estonia, as he cast his Yes vote at a tennis club in the capital, Tallinn.

But the choice has sparked lively debate in the former Soviet republic.

While proponents say membership will be good for Estonia, others warn it could harm Estonia's thriving economy.

'Big opportunity'

In the capital Tallinn almost every lamppost and billboard is plastered with the slogan of the Yes camp: Vote for Europe and a brighter future.

A piece of campaign literature handed out by students from the governing Res Publica Party called on Estonians to vote yes "for access to millions of sexier men".

Nikolai Stelmach, advisor to Res Publica, believes the Yes vote is guaranteed.

"Life will be better in the EU - it is the biggest opportunity for our country in 10 years," he said.

"Independence was the first step the next big decision is to be an active part of Europe."

Estonia's economy is one of the fastest growing in Europe and supporters have warned failure to join the EU could throw it off track.

Independence fears

But opponents say just the opposite will happen if Estonia becomes subject to EU bureaucracy.

"We'll be killing the golden goose that lays the golden eggs," said opponent Juri Estam

The No campaigners also warn that prices will rise and the poor and pensioners will be hardest hit.

Some of the younger generation also have concerns.

Our correspondent in Tallinn, Sarah Rainsford, says most of all, voters are distressed that after just 12 years of freedom, Estonia should jump from one union to the next.

"If we go, then we lose our independence - and that's the most valuable thing we have," said a voter named Mari.