GROWERS are being called upon to support a campaign for the whole of Wyre Forest to become a genetically modified-free zone.Martin Blount and Zoe Hertzog, of Wyre Forest Friends of the Earth, demonstrate organic apple-pressing.

Martin Blount, of Wyre Forest Friends of the Earth, who is also an organic farmer in Arley, said: "We are calling on anyone who grows food on any scale, even a window box, to sign our growers' register.

"If GM crops are grown commercially in the UK it would wipe out organic farming."

Mr Blount's views have won the backing of Wyre Forest MP Richard Taylor who said recent research had "condemned" GM.

Dr Taylor said: "Interfering with nature in this way could bring untold damage to insect populations with a knock-on effect for birdlife."

The growers' register idea is part of the FoE's campaign to persuade Wyre Forest District Council and Worcestershire County Council to designate Wyre Forest a GM-free zone.

This follows the Welsh National Assembly's decision to ban GM crops from the whole of Wales.

The Government has still to make its final decision following the recent results of farm-scale trials which showed certain GM crops pose a threat to biodiversity.

Mr Blount said there were not many organic farmers, as far as he knew, in the area.

However he said: "It is probably more important for gardeners to sign the register rather than farms which are, after all, businesses with business pressures. It is gardeners who are more likely to be organic. This is about the right of the individual to have a choice in what they eat."

The register will be available to sign at one of the campaign days FoE will be holding in Kidderminster on Saturday outside the Swan Centre or the following Saturday in Bewdley, outside the museum.

A petition will also be available for people, other than growers, who support the idea of a district ban on GM.

Mr Blount said the group was also lobbying Wyre Forest district councillors on bringing in a county-wide ban and is urging those against GM crops to write to council leader Howard Martin or MP Dr Taylor.

He added: "We are at a crucial stage in the national campaign to prevent the production of GM food because the government is deciding now whether to allow GM crops to be grown commercially across the UK."

Anyone who would like to sign the register can reach Mr Blount on 01299 400586.