THE decision has been taken to postpone both the Beacons campaign on March 12 and the Liberty & Livelihood March due to take place on Sunday, March 18 in London.

The planning for two such massive campaigns has taken many months and thousands of man hours, and the decision to postpone has not been taken lightly. The march has been postponed but the grievances that prompted it remain.

We would like to thank all those who signed up for the march. On the current figures, Worcestershire would have been sending in excess of 100 coaches to London - a clear indication of the strength of feeling.

These marchers are now biding their time, not melting away.

Our task now is to address this most untimely and cruel hammer blow to farming and our vital rural economy. It is necessary for all those working hard for the maintenance of the countryside and their livelihoods to be free to apply all their energies to this latest catastrophe.

While speculation has become rife as to the cause of this outbreak of foot and mouth disease, and when our opponents threaten and attack persons, property and animals, our resolve stiffens.

We have the moral right to preserve our culture and we will fight to remain custodians of a free and democratic society.

NICKY DRIVER,

Regional Countryside Alliance PR Officer.