A SWINDON MP joined charity activists to poke fun at, but give a serious message to, the world's leading statesmen.

The volunteers donned masks imitating world leaders in protest at unfair trade laws which they say are doing untold harm to Africa.

Julia Drown, the MP for South Swindon, supported the Oxfam-organised demonstration in the Brunel Arcade.

She is chairwoman of the Commons All Party Group on Third World Debt and has long campaigned on behalf of developing companies.

This weekend the leaders of the eight most powerful countries in the world will meet at the G8 Summit in Evian, France to discuss Third World debt.

Ms Drown said: "We can be proud that our Government has often taken the lead on debt relief and aid for developing countries, but more needs to be done to help the poorest get access to the basic services that we in Swindon take for granted."

The Oxfam protesters believe that by subsidising their own farmers and then selling cheap exports to Third World countries, the United States and Europe are destroying the livelihoods of small farmers.

Oxfam says the European Union pays 16 billion euros to support the European dairy industry, which is two euros (£1.40) per cow per day. The vast surplus of milk is then dumped in Africa at giveaway prices.

Sarah Jenkinson, Oxfam's Swindon campaigner said: "Sold so cheaply, EU milk destroys markets on which small farmers depend. By undermining local self reliance, the dumping is helping create conditions of famine."