CHURCHES in Prime Minister Tony Blair's constituency are backing a campaign to overturn a ban on Christian groups applying for national radio licences.

About 1,200 worshippers from Sedgefield, County Durham, are said to have signed up to a petition, prompted by the United Christian Broadcasters (UCB) organisation, which was presented to Mr Blair yesterday.

UCB says that the Government is in breach of European human rights by denying Christian groups the right to bid for radio licenses.

The petition was handed to Mr Blair at Downing Street