THE Green Party is pushing for County Durham to become a GM-free zone.

Within the next few weeks, genetically modified oil seed rape is to be planted at farms at Oakenshaw, Willington and Hutton Magna, near Barnard Castle, where activists destroyed £2,000 worth of trial crops last year.

Aventis CropScience UK, which is carrying out the trials as part of a three-year research programme, said there was no need for concern.

The global company said oil seed rape could only cross-pollinate with other oil seed rape plants, and trials would take place at a safe distance from normal crops.

The Green Party's prospective parliamentary candidate, Carl Bennett, of Bishop Auckland, County Durham, described the trials "genetic pollution". He fears the herbicide- resistant crops could cross-pollinate with surrounding plants.

He will be urging people to sign petitions opposing the trials, and is calling for a county-wide referendum on the issue.

He said: "We're asking for people to get in touch with their MPs and local and district councillors.

"The Government is spending £3.3m on these tests. That's taxpayers' money."

Anyone wishing to support the campaign can call Mr Bennett (01388) 609611.