A controversial GM crops trial at St Osyth is off - but there may be a further attempt later in the year.

SCIMAC - the cross-industry body responsible for providing sufficient sites to meet the scientific criteria for the Government's research programme - has discontinued its interest in the site.

It has taken the step "due to the current uncertainty and delay surrounding the particular site".

Campaigners fighting the project were today delighted.

Sarah Priest and Tracy Osben, who live in the village, said they now want it declared a GM free zone.

However, farmer Guy Smith of Smith's Farms (Clacton), who had planned to sow part of an 18-acre field with spring oilseed rape, said today that it may not be the end of the story.

"I am still looking into the situation and I am determined to host a trial - depending on the outcome of the villagers' votes," he said.

"We will be leaving it for another day but we could be looking at an autumn trial."

Mr Smith said that he hoped there would still be a good turnout for a referendum to be staged tomorrow.

"I will be encouraging everyone interested to vote so that we have a decent view of what people in St Osyth want," he added.

Mr Smith said he had been disappointed by the way the Government had left him to fight his corner alone but had not been put off.

SCIMAC said that with around 60 sites required across the country it was leaving St Osyth out of the picture in favour of alternative locations.

"This in no way diminishes the farmer's support for the trials programme, nor his belief that GM crop technology will deliver environmental, agricultural and economic benefits," added a spokesman.

Ms Osben said the trial had obviously been called off before the referendum came out with an overwhelming no vote.

She also hoped that everyone still voted on the issue and felt it was important that residents made a stand.

"We want the elected representatives to be in no doubt about people's views should the issue arise again," she added.

"It is typical they should pull out now, and it is just a case of damage limitation."

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.