CAMPAIGNERS were in Southampton as part of a national drive to Make Poverty History.

Members of Southampton's Christian Aid charity joined forces with others from Action Aid, Oxfam and Friends of the Earth outside the WestQuay shopping centre to persuade shoppers to back the campaign. The campaigners urged passers-by to sign a giant white band to symbolise their commitment to the cause.

Susan Barry, Hampshire co-ordinator for Christian Aid, said 2005 was the ideal opportunity to force the issue of world poverty to the top of the political agenda in Britain.