LONDON. Oct 9 : Former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher is prepared to disown any British agreement to move towards a single European currency at a key summit of European leaders in December, according to a report in Tuesday's Financial Times, reports AFP.

The report, which appeared on the opening day of the ruling Conservative Party annual conference, cited close associates of Thatcher as saying she was considering a campaign for a national referendum on British backing for amendments to the Treaty of Rome to pave the way for a single currency.

Thatcher aides quickly denied any such campaign was planned, but renewed speculation about her. opposition to any compromise at the key European Community Summit in Maastricht threatens to undermine Prime Minister John Major's attempts to unite the Conservatives contentious European issues.

Major is expected to indicate at the December Summit that Britain is willing to go along with moves towards a *nglc Euro-currency while striking a deal whereby a final decision on the Pound s membership will be left to a future decisfon of the British Parliament