Residents in Thorpe have joined those voicing fears over GM crop trials which will take place just a mile from their village.

They are concerned about the effect the trials may have on the environment and want more information about the possible effects.

Mike Priest, of Abbey Cresecent, and his wife Lynne, want a special meeting staged where they can gather all the facts.

Mrs Priest attended a meeting at Weeley last week but there was no-one present from Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) or the companies organising the trials at Weeley Lodge Farm, Weeley.

Planting is due to start on April 28.

Mr Priest said there were many questions he did not know the answer to, such as the effect there could be on Weeley Woods.

"If I grow sweet corn in my vegetable patch this year, does it run the risk of being contaminated?" he asked.

Mr Priest asked parish councillors to get onto colleagues at Weeley Parish Council to stage a meeting and invite DEFRA and the various bodies and companies organising the trials to attend.

Mr Priest told the annual parish meeting he felt it would give residents in Thorpe, Little Clacton and Weeley the information they needed.

Brian Healey, chairman of Thorpe Parish Council, said while he was not able to put pressure on colleagues at Weeley, the council could write and request a meeting and that would be done.

Councillor Alan Newman said people in Thorpe were worried about the situation. "The predominant wind is from the Weeley direction and Thorpe is right in the firing line," he added.

Concerned Little Clacton residents have been airing their views on the proposed GM crops trials soon to start in Weeley.

At a meeting of Little Clacton Parish Council last night, councillors discussed the issue after it was heard letters had been received from concerned residents.

Peter Balbirnie, district and parish councillor, said: "I do find it hard to believe that again Essex is being burdened with GM crops."

One resident said she had been at the public meeting held in Weeley about the use of GM crops where there was strong support from residents against the use of GM crops.

It was decided that a letter would be written to DEFRA raising the concerns of the Little Clacton residents.

Published Tuesday, April 9, 2002