SWINDON MP, Julia Drown, will today join a group of Swindon activists sending messages to the leaders of the G8 nations not to forget Africa and to change unfair trade rules.

According to Swindon campaigners, world leaders at the G8 summit this weekend must address the harm being done by the agricultural subsidies being given to western farmers.

Ms Drown said: "We can be proud that our Govern-ment 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 basic services that we in Swindon tend to take for granted.

"I support Oxfam's work to get world leaders to deliver for the world's poor."

Sarah Jenkinson, Ox-fam's Swindon campaigner said: "Today more than a billion people live in abject poverty.

"The plight of those in the poorest countries could be solved if world leaders demonstrated the same political will and committed the same energy and funds to fighting poverty as they have to a war on Iraq. ''

The protest takes place at 1pm today at the Brunel Statue in Havelock Square.