Campaigners march for Trade Justice

Many churchgoers were among the marchers calling for a fairer deal for farmers and producers in poorer countries, who suffer from trading policies biased in favour of the wealthier western nations.

The demonstration was held on the eve of the Labour Party conference at Brighton, and marchers carried placards and banners urging the public to "Vote for Trade Justice".

John Munro, from Arundel, was among the local group swelling the crowd on its way from The Steine to the Brighton Centre.

He said: "We heard speakers passionate to break the World Trade Organisation's rotten rules, which sanction subsidies in rich western countries, smothering markets in poor countries and driving farmers to ruin and suicide.

"We were reminded that 20 per cent of the world's population goes to bed hungry each night, yet the richest 20 per cent consumes 80 per cent of the world's resources.

"We stood for two minutes' total silence to remember those farmers and commit ourselves to help our leaders put right wrong decisions."

Leading the local contingent was Derek Prentis from Worthing, a veteran campaigner of the Jubilee 2000 initiative to have third world debts written off.

Added John: "It was extraorinary to be among so many like-minded people who have given up Sunday to help the Third World feed themselves - by developing trade, not relying on aid."

Organisations including Christian Aid, Cafod, the World Development Movement, Oxfam and the Fair Trade Foundationstaged the event