As Brexit trade talks reach their final day, Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely says the UK will leave Europe regardless of the outcome.

Mr Seely told the County Press the UK will prosper - regardless of whether or not it secures a deal with the EU.

A statement was released just before midday, confirming talks would continue. Scroll down to see it.... 

He said: “The UK will leave the transition period at the end of December with or without a further agreement.

"Despite ongoing negotiations, significant differences remain on governance, fisheries and level playing field arrangements.

"If we leave without a trade agreement I am confident that we will prosper as an independent nation.

"We will have control over our borders, laws and fisheries and our economic and political independence will be restored."

This weekend's discussions are seen as 'last-ditch' efforts to find a breakthrough.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has spoken with with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and a  statement has been released...

One of the sticking issues is fishing - with reports that four Royal Navy patrol ships will be ready from 1 January, to help the UK protect its fishing waters in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

Meanwhile, in tv ads, Isle of Wight businesses are among those being told to prepare.

After a year of transition, many are critical of the way the split has been handled and Vikoma and Wight Shipyard told the County Press, earlier this month, that they didn't know what they were preparing for - and could do nothing until a deal (or no-deal) was finalised.

Plan? Brexit's up in the air say Isle of Wight businesses

Isle of Wight County Press:

Despite the uncertainty, both were optimistic about the longer term future because they trade mostly outside the EU.

In his statement this week, Mr Seely said: "I recognise that businesses are having a tough time at the moment and the ongoing negotiations are not making it easy however, the UK was always due to leave the single market and customs union at the end of the year and so there is no change in this regard and businesses would always have been required to prepare for this scenario.

"I would encourage all businesses to visit www.gov.uk/transition to help them prepare if they have not done so already."

Meanwhile, a task force is planning for a wide variety of scenarios after January 1 - concentrating on the impact Brexit will have on traffic through Portsmouth.

Measures will be in place to deal with potential queues of HGVs trying to reach Europe, without the correct paperwork.

That could affect other traffic into the city - including those heading for the Isle of Wight.

Read more about the measures, which will see three lorry parks created, with an aim to ensure that only lorries ready to travel are allowed to the gates of Portsmouth International Port: