CHURCHGOERS have joined forces to campaign for a fairer deal for the Third World.

Members of the Ribble Valley Christian Aid group launched a campaign wing at a get-together at St John's Church Hall, Hurst Green.

They will challenge local supermarkets to ensure that Third World workers who produce the goods they sell are fairly paid and properly treated.

They are to collect till receipts which will be handed to the supermarkets as proof of the level of consumer concern about the lot of workers in developing countries.

They are also collecting signatures for what is hoped will be the biggest petition in the world calling for unpayable Third World debt to be cancelled by the year 2000.

And several events are planned by the group during Christian Aid week in May, including a concert, coffee morning and market stall.

Campaigner Claire Hyde said: "Many of the world's poorest countries are being crippled by debt and forced to repay money to rich governments at the cost of essential services like health care and education.

"We are calling for the cancellation of these debts in order to give the people of the world's poorest countries the chance to start the new millennium with hope for the future."

The group would like to hear from anyone in the Ribble Valley willing to help with the campaigns or donate their till receipts.

Anyone who wants to help can contact Claire on 01254 878402 or the Rev Rodney Nicholson, of St Paul's Church, Low Moor, Clitheroe, on 01200 422418.

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