CAMPAIGNERS travelled to the European Parliament in Brussels to demand safer chemicals in everyday products.

Chris Gooding, 67, from Stokesley, North Yorkshire, and Allwyn Nichol, 65, from Newcastle, were among a British delegation that included members of WWWF, the global environmental network and the National Federation of Women's Institutes.

Many of the people who travelled to Brussels were outraged after finding their bodies were contaminated with a cocktail of highly toxic man-made chemicals after taking part in a blood survey conducted by WWF in the region last year.

During their visit to Brussels they presented their test results to MEPs and handed over a 77,000 signature petition calling for hazardous chemicals to be banned.

Allwyn Nicholls, treasurer of the Marley Hill WI, said: "It is very frightening to find I have these high levels of chemicals in my body and also how many everyday items have these chemicals in them.

"By going along to Brussels and presenting the petition I hope we can raise awareness among the politicians and emphasise to them the need to take action through stricter regulatory controls.

"This is action that needs to be taken now to help protect the health of current and future generations."

It is a view endorsed by campaign leaders who hope the trip to Brussels can help to persuade policy-makers to introduce changes that better regulate chemical usage.