A CAMPAIGN to save the future of abattoirs is calling on people in the region to show their support.

The Abattoir Campaign, run by the National Association of Farmers' Markets and the Soil Association, aims to put pressure on the Government to help thousands of small abattoirs in the country that face closure.

The campaign claims that the current hourly charge imposed on abattoirs will force many small businesses to close, and are calling for the law to be changed in favour of a system which includes a fixed charge per animal each abattoir uses.

Simon Brenman, of the Soil Association, called on people in the North-East and North Yorkshire to push for a change.

He said: "On current trends the smaller abattoir sector will disappear within the next year.

"This would severely restrict consumer choice and would effectively starve high street butchers and farmers' markets of supply, further strengthening the hand of the all-powerful supermarkets."

He added that farmers' markets held across the North-East and North Yorkshire, at places such as Barnard Castle, Bishop Auckland and York, will suffer if the system is not changed.

The campaign is urging people to write to their MP to protest at the current system, and a letter has already been sent to Nick Brown, the Minister of Agriculture. This will be followed by a 100,000-signature petition due to be delivered to 10 Downing Street next month.