FARMERS and countryside enthusiasts from East Lancashire will join protesters campaigning for the future of the countryside at a huge rally in London on Sunday, March 1.

The event, which has been organised by the British Field Sport Society, is expected to attract up to 400,000 marchers from across the country and around 12 coaches, including three from the Ribble Valley, are setting off from Lancashire.

Organisers claim country people feel misunderstood, with many employed directly or indirectly in field sports fearing for their jobs and farmers facing enormous difficulties.

And the local demonstrators will be joined by Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans who said the event would be the most significant demonstration on behalf of the rural way of life that the country had ever seen.

A spokesman for the society said the march would give a voice to rural dwellers and highlight their concerns.

"The future of farming and field sports will be the primary concern of many. Others will be more concerned about the threat of development on green-field sites and the loss of important wildlife sites to 'progress.' "But all will be standing up for the future of the countryside and asking Parliament to act, not just to protect the countryside, but to protect their jobs, their businesses, their sports and their freedom," he said.

Mr Evans said he would meet local protesters and join them for the march through the centre of London.

"This will be the most significant demonstration on behalf of people who live in rural areas that this country has ever seen and I will certainly be there.

"If we sit idly back and allow the countryside to fall into decay we will be denying future generations their birthright and they will never forgive us," he warned.

A spokesman for the British Association for Shooting and Conservation's Gisburn office said: "About 12 coaches and two trains are leaving Lancashire, with three coaches leaving the Ribble Valley alone.

"People in the country are getting fed-up of being told what to do by urban politicians. Thousands of us will be heading for London to put our point across.

"We are not going to stand back and watch the politicians ban everything. We are defending our way of life."

Anyone interested in joining the march can ring a hotline with the latest information on 0171 582 2265.

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