Campaigners were out in force calling on councils to ban genetically modified crops.

Sign here - signatures build up in Hockley Picture: TERENCE BUNCH

Members of the Green Party and Friends of the Earth were on hand in Rectory Road, Hadleigh, and Spa Road, Hockley, to speak to shoppers on the battle between organic crops and their GM counterparts.

Campaigner Chris Keene claimed GM crops would harm the environment along with people's health and finances.

He said: "The purpose of this event is to put pressure on councils to declare the community GM free. Once we allow GM pollen into the atmosphere, it contaminates the other crops and cannot be reversed. It really is now or never."

Published Monday, April 14, 2003

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