FORMER Liberal Democrat Chief Whip David Alton and pro-democracy campaigner James Mawdsley will speak at a pro-life public meeting in Durham City on Thursday.

They will join Ben Rogers, Conservative Party candidate for the Durham City constituency, at the meeting in Room 20, Palace Green at 6pm.

Mr Mawdsley, who served 14 months' solitary confinement in a Burmese jail for his pro-democracy activities, is to stand for the Conservative Party at the General Election for the Hyndburn seat, in Lancashire.

During his visit to the city, the human rights activist will also speak at Durham Johnston School and the university's law department, on Friday.