CHEMIST Cathy Jones has launched a campaign against government plans to allow supermarkets to supply prescription drugs.

She says the recommendations from the Office of Fair Trading will threaten smaller chemists which will mean a less individual service for customers.

As the owner of CML Jones, the only independent pharmacy in Wootton Bassett, Cathy presented a 500-signature petition to North Wiltshire MP James Gray.

Along with the support of Bridgett Tubb, the president of the Wootton Bassett Chamber of Commerce, she is trying to get more people to sign the petition.

Cathy said: "There is enough competition as it is. We are not like traders such as grocers. We offer medical services that take the pressure off doctors.

"It will be the small local pharmacy that will be vulnerable to the OFT recommendations."

Mr Gray said: "There are some advantages to allowing supermarkets to supply prescription drugs but the effect of this will be to put high street pharmacies out of business.

"If you get a big number of signatures this is a powerful weapon I can present to Parliament."