ANTI-abortion campaigners will hold silent vigils in Darwen and Rawtenstall to commemorate 31 years of legalised abortion.

Protesters, holding pictures of foetuses and banners saying "Abortion hurts women and kills children" will form chains at Cravens Brow, Darwen, and at St Mary's Way, Rawtenstall, from 11am to 1pm on Saturday. Dr Greg Williams, of Blackburn Road, Darwen, is organising the Darwen vigil and said he was worried that new laws might make it even easier to get abortions.

Dr Williams, who worked at Darwen Health Centre until he retired, said: "We are very concerned that our society is being guided by a rudderless individualism which progressively erodes moral values.

"The pressure of laws affect doctors. I'm also concerned about future laws allowing compassionate killing and euthanasia."

Members of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children will hold vigils from 11am to 1pm in 89 towns nationwide on Saturday.

A chain of campaigners will encircle the Cities of London and Westminster to protest against the five million abortions carried out since the 1967 Abortion Act was passed.

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