AS Britain awaits the verdict in the case of 'metric martyr' greengrocer Steve Thoburn, of Sunderland, prosecuted for selling bananas by the pound, a strong backlash against the imposition of 'foreign' weights is revealed among East Lancashire shopkeepers.

But why is this? Are so many proving reactionary simply because they are hostile to the EU imperialism that has forced strange standards on shops throughout Britain?

There may perhaps be a streak of such sentiments in this response by traders, but, above all, it is evident that their attitude stems from what their customers want -- the traditional pounds and ounces they know and understand.

And when opinion-poll evidence shows that, nationally, an overwhelming majority -- 70 per cent -- also prefers them to kilogrammes and grammes, then the forcing of metric measures on shopkeepers and customers alike amounts to bad law.

Indeed, this is doubly bad since it is a law that has wormed its way into our statutes more by diktat from Brussels than by democratic debate in our own parliament.

But if those who care for our constitution find this to be yet another upsetting instance of British sovereignty being sapped by Europe, ordinary people are much more concerned for the sound practical reasons that they are confused and upset at having to buy goods in measures that are so alien to them that they no longer know whether they are getting value for money.

Whatever its source or high-minded intent, any law that makes millions of people so discontented is wrong and begs the level of resistance that compulsory metrication is rightly receiving. It was never asked for and is not wanted.

And what is wrong with plain common sense? Why cannot shops use both imperial and metric measures?

After all, when parliament did have a proper say on the question -- back in 1985 -- was not the continued use of both what was voted for?