ACTIVISTS fighting to stop Middleton Towers being turned into a prison have made a last ditch bid for support at next week's public inquiry. Members of MAGPIE (Middleton action group against a prison in our environment) say it's critical people take an interest in the proceedings to show Government inspector Trevor Graham the extent of local opposition. MAGPIE member Barbara Williams, explained: "We are not going to let them have a prison without a fight. They can't just walk into our village and take it over. People must make an effort and go to the meeting, even if it's just for five minutes."

The inquiry will be held at Morecambe town hall and starts this Tuesday at 10am and is expected to run for about five days.

Evidence, in support of the plans and against them will be presented and members of MAGPIE will have their arguments scrutinised by a Home Office barrister.

The plans for a temporary prison to house up to 700 inmates met with a wave of opposition since they were introduced last December.

The inquiry, which will be judged in planning terms, will air grievances over the prison's impact on local tourism, the community and the environment. Traffic and transport implications, public rights of way and the planned prison's proximity to the nuclear power station will also be under discussion.

Once the inquiry is closed Mr Graham will conduct a site visit and then present his findings to deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott who will make the final decision.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.