A FAMILY-run grocery business is leading the support for British farmers by banning French products from its stores until France lifts its ban on British beef.

Whiteheads, who have stores in Great Harwood, Rishton and Haslingden, have launched their own protest against the French stance and will not be re-ordering any French goods until the ban is lifted.

That means that stocks of French goods such as apples, wine and cheese will not be replaced on Whitehead's shelves once they run out.

Paul Whitehead, speaking from the family's Haslingden store, said: "This is our way of backing the British farmers. We started the campaign this week and so far the response has been good from customers."

British beef was banned by the EU for stringent safety checks at the height of the BSE scare.

But although the ban was lifted in August, France and Germany refused to act on the lifting of the embargo, with France going one step further by suggesting that British beef should be banned until 2001.

Supporters of British beef farmers have been outraged by the illegal French ban and have urged shoppers to boycott all French goods until it is lifted.

Paul Whitehead said: "Our plan is not to re-order French goods once they run out. This will hopefully continue until the French lift their ban on British beef."

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