MORE THAN 100 people opposing an eco-town for the Selby area ignored the blustery, cold weather to get their message across to shoppers in the town centre.

Accompanied by four drums, the hardy campaigners handed out leaflets and got passing shoppers to sign their petition.

The demo was organised by husband and wife, Selby District Council team, John and Mary McCartney, who fear their Eggborough ward will be engulfed by up to 15,000 houses if the Willow Green eco town scheme gets the go-ahead.

Councillor Mary McCartney said: "We wanted to explain to people who live or work in Selby the impact that this new town would have on their community. We soon found out that the people of Selby are not stupid and they already knew that this new town would be bad for Selby, sucking badly needed investment away from Selby town. They also wanted to see new houses built close to their communities and not force local young people to move away from the families, friends and workplaces to this proposed new town, south of the River Aire."

Councillor John McCartney said: "We were delighted with the turn-out, given the inclement weather, and with the reception that we received from people out shopping. We are confident that this hare-brained scheme will be kicked in touch, but we are not complacent and will continue to campaign until that happens."

The protest comes after Nigel Adams, the Conservative parliamentary candidate for Selby and Ainsty, carried out the survey over the last month around Eggborough, Kellington and Beal to gauge opinions on the eco-town development - the results of which showed overwhelming opposition to the scheme.

John Grogan, MP for Selby, has been the sole politician supporting the development, saying it would bring much-needed affordable housing to the district, as well as improving services available to established local villages.