A CAMPAIGN highlighting the impact tax avoidance has on poor people is coming to the North-East.

The Tax Justice Bus will pull into Durham City on day 45 of its 53-day nationwide tour on Sunday.

Durham County Councillor Pauline Charlton and the Reverend John Claydon, of the Northern Baptist Association, will welcome Christian Aid and Church Action on Poverty’s red double-decker as it stops in Millennium Place at 2.30pm.

Judith Sadler, North-East regional manager for Christian Aid, said: “The visit of the Tax Justice Bus to the North- East is hugely significant because tax dodging by the rich and powerful affects the poorest people, both in our region and overseas.

“This is a great opportunity for people throughout the North-East to visit the bus, find out more about the issues and add their support to the campaign.”

A public meeting at Durham Town Hall, in Market Place, is being held from 3pm to 4pm and speakers will include Roberta Blackman- Woods MP, Kevin Rowan, TUC regional secretary, Gary Brooks, of Positive Money, and Dereje Alemayehu, the chairman of the Tax Justice Network Africa.

The bus will then make its way up to Palace Green, in front of Durham Cathedral, where it will be greeted at 4.30pm by the vice-chancellor of Durham University, Professor Chris Higgins, Archie Dallas, president of the Durham Students Union, and Durham residents clutching magnifying glasses to reflect their demands for legislation to bring greater transparency in taxation.

On Monday, from 6pm to 8.30pm, the bus will be at St Peter’s Church, Redcar Lane, Redcar, and on Tuesday at Northallerton Methodist Church, in High Street, Northallerton, from 9am to 10am.