FATHERS campaigning for better access to their children hope to ride the wave of publicity generated by the dramatic protest at York Minster to establish a group in the city.

Members of Fathers 4 Justice said more headline-grabbing stunts are planned for York and across the country in the run up to the General Election.

A protest at York Minster ended in controversy on Sunday when 14 people were arrested after more than dozen people dressed in clerical costumes stormed a service for General Synod delegates.

Fathers 4 Justice member Martin Cottrell, 43, of Clifton, York, said there was already a loose network of several dozen supporters in York and North Yorkshire.

He said many other groups were "talking shops" but Fathers 4 Justice fought to raise public awareness of the issue through "peaceful, non-violent, high publicity stunts".

Meetings of Fathers 4 Justice take place at The Cross Keys, Goodramgate, every Tuesday at 7.30pm, including tonight.

Updated: 10:35 Tuesday, July 13, 2004