By Lesley Richards A HINDLEY campaigner has joined the fight to end the brutal oppression and persecution of practitioners of an outlawed way of life in China.

Thirty-two-year-old Anthony Langstone, a follower of Falun Gong, an ancient spiritual practice, is appealing to people to help put an end to religious intolerance in the country.

Mr Langstone, of Park Road, wants anyone who believes in freedom of belief to write to their MP, sign a petition on line, and write to the Chinese Embassy and human rights organisations.

Mr Langstone, who took up the practice nine months ago, claims 250 practitioners have been murdered since July 1999 at the hands of the Chinese government and police. He alleges hundreds of women have been thrown into jail with male prisoners and subjected to rape and inhumane cruelties.

Tens of thousands have been tortured in jail and labour camps and others have been thrown into mental hospitals. Virtuous people have been forced to leave their families and become destitute and homeless.

The government justifies its action by claiming to be reforming them.

Mr Langstone, who studied yoga in depth for many years, found the new way of life through a relative.

He said: "At first it was hard to sway me, but I bought a book on the subject and I was hooked. Falun Gong promotes spiritual awareness and encourages us to become better people and live a more contented life.

"It involves five easy exercises including meditation and studying the laws of the universe, its highest characteristics being truth, compassion, forbearance. We then live our lives accordingly.

"It is suitable for all ages, relieves stress and improves health. It was introduced in 1992 by Master Li Hongzhi and has spread to over 40 countries with more than 100 million practitioners.

"In most nations, practising your spiritual faith is a right. In China, it's a crime."

To find out more about what is happening in China, and other ways to help visit www.faluninfo.net "The Chinese government has tried to suppress all Falun Gong activities by spreading lies, saying we are a cult and are evil when in fact it is they who are the extreme evil ones.

"There is nothing brainwashy about Falun Gong as there aren't any control-crazy people involved. "

Mr Langstone, who attends classes at UMIST in Manchester, said the practitioners are deeply respectable people.

"They believe in enhancing their spirituality and exercising in large groups which have become rather conspicuous and the Chinese regime does not like people congregating, except when organised by itself.

"I hope the people of the area will act to help end this repression in China."