three Christians from Malvern will be travelling to Italy to take part in a demonstration calling for the abolition of debts owed by the world's poorest countries.

Eileen Richardson and Philip and Mary Weatherall will be among those demonstrating outside the G8 summit in Genoa on Saturday, July 21.

They want the economic superpowers to put pressure on the World Bank and International Monetary Fund to cancel debts totalling billions of pounds.

"These countries cannot afford basic education and health care because they have to service these debts. It's a vicious circle," said Mrs Weatherall.

"If an individual or a company accumulates huge debts they can be declared bankrupt, which effectively wipes out the debts. But there's no equivalent for countries."

Supporters in Malvern were due to man a stall near Lyttelton Well, in Church Street, today (Friday), from 8.30pm to noon, handing out postcards for people to sign and send off to Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and the Italian Government. On the day of the march itself, there will also be a vigil in Priory Churchyard in support of the marchers.

Christian groups and aid charities are among those who have joined forces to press for debt cancellation.

"But it's not only Christian groups, it's anyone who is concerned about poverty relief." said Mrs Weatherall.

"Governments have been amazed how many normal people have been taking part in these protests, even if it's just by sending a postcard."