Eco-warriors hiding underground at the site of the planned A130 Rettendon bypass could soon be breaking an unofficial protest record.

From today, the green campaigners will have be been underground for 22 days - equal to the tunnel protest against expanding Manchester airport last year.

Campaigners showed their continuing support for the eco-warriors by staging a demonstration and tying goodwill messages to the fences surrounding the site.

It is thought there are five anti-road protesters still in tunnels under the path of the proposed A130 bypass in Gorse Wood.

Andy Abbott, spokesman for the M-Way No Way campaign, said the protesters could soon be breaking an unofficial record. Mr Abbott, of Chelmsford, said: "The longest known tunnel campaign lasted 22 days at Manchester airport.

"We understand they are in high spirits. The bailiff's officers have heard them singing in the tunnels so they are obviously in a good mood.

"We have just been up to the fence and that's the closest any of us have been. Technically it was trespass the but police and bailiff's officers chose to leave us along.

"We decorated the fence with messages of support and appreciation to the Gorse Wood Protest Campaign for the work they have done against the road."

The demonstration yesterday was timed to mark the protesters' 21st day underground. Workmen on behalf of the High Sheriff of Essex have been battling to evict the protesters from the site since February 6.

The protesters' campaign has won support from some Rettendon residents while others have criticised their actions.

Mr Abbott added the demonstration was also aimed at sending a signal to politicians, planners and big business because the bypass, he claimed, would become part of an outer orbital route around London.

He said: "With the Great Leighs bypass linking Braintree and Chelmsford, work on the A120 from Stansted to Braintree is due to start later this year, we have virtually got a whole road from Stansted to Benfleet."

Road protest - tunnel supporters march through the woods to show solidarity with the eco-warriors underground at Gorse Wood

Picture: MIKE BELLENIE

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