Green Party candidates and supporters formed a colourful 'cycle-cade' along the York to Selby cycle path.

York candidate Bill Shaw and Selby coounterpart Helen Kenwright led the way, as they combined the party's push for pedal power with their campaign for a nuclear-free world.

Explained Mr Shaw: "During the ride, we passed the model of the solar system with the aim of reminding the riders that we want to see a nuclear-free future for everyone.

"This can be done and it would be unthreatened by American designs for domination of not just the planet but of the solar system as well, which they aim to achieve through their proposed National Missile Defence system."

Mr Shaw then described news that many British voters support Green ideals as "excellent".

Among the issues the voters agree with the Greens are opposition to the Euro and Euro-army and renationalising the railways.

Mr Shaw added: "In the voter- intention polls we have barely left the starting grid. But it is excellent news that in polls on actual policy issues, the Greens are racing ahead.

"We don't know yet whether it will translate into votes, but it is important that our policies are accepted. We will wait and see."

The Greens have also launched their local elections drive.

They say policies central to their manifesto include setting up 'safe routes to school', in which they would look for a costed, environmentally friendly and safe way of getting children to and from school, opposition to mass fluoridation, a traffic reduction guide for local authorities and a move towards a zero waste strategy.

Mr Shaw said: "Every year we make gains in local elections against bigger parties with far greater resources than we have at our disposal.

"The Green Party is clearly in the ascendancy, and the voters feel strongly about these issues."

Asked whether a Green MP is a possibility, Mr Shaw suggested the Leeds West constituency, where the party is said to be putting up a strong fight.

He added: "Even if we don't get elected, the fact that the voters feel so strongly about this can only be good. It means they will go to their MPs and consistently raise these issues.

"Sooner or later, they will have to take notice."

* Anne McIntosh, Conservative Parliamentary candidate for the Vale of York, has called for caution over the reopening of footpaths in York and North Yorkshire after local authorities were told only rights of way within 3km of infected farms need to remain shut.

Updated: 15:37 Tuesday, May 29, 2001