THE national debate on genetically-modified (GM) food was arriving in North Yorkshire today - giving local people the chance to have their say on the controversial issue.

GM Nation? - the public debate on GM issues - was holding its northern regional conference at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate.

Friends of the Earth members were demonstrating outside the conference, urging the Prime Minister to listen to people's concerns.

Today's conference, one of six taking place across the country, will be followed by further debates in towns and villages throughout June and early July.

Information from the debates will be fed back to the Government in September.

Updated: 10:50 Friday, June 13, 2003