Scotland’s bosses were urged yesterday to allow workers time out to vote in the crunch independence referendum amid predictions of massive queues at polling stations.

The Unite union said its research had revealed that 93 per cent of members were set to cast a ballot on Thursday.

Extra electoral staff are being recruited in anticipation of a massive response from the public.

And Scottish secretary Pat Rafferty urged bosses to “play their part” by giving workers the chance to get out during the day to avoid the morning and evening peaks.

“The eyes of the world will be on Scotland so we must avoid the problems which marred the 2010 general election, when people were turned away from polling stations as the polls closed despite queuing for hours. That would be a travesty,” he said.