LANCASTER people were urged to think about the problem of world poverty as they did their shopping in the city centre.

Local 'Make Poverty History' campaigners set up home in Market Street and dressed in giant pants to hammer home a 'Say Pants to Poverty' message.

The locals say poverty is not high enough on the agenda of most voters - but it would be if British citizens were starving or malnourished.

Spokesman Stephen Hoyland says: "Surely the time has come when we should have more concern for the global population.

"At present, 30,000 people die every day because of poverty. They are not poor because they are feckless or lazy but because the world is unfair. If enough people support the Make Poverty History campaign, perhaps we really can make history and put an end to it."

o For more information on the Make Poverty History campaign in the local area, visit the wesbite at http://www.virtual-lancaster.net/mph