HAMPSHIRE jewellers have breathed a sigh of relief after EU bureaucrats' plans threatening a 700-year English tradition were thrown out.

The proposed directive sought to introduce community-wide regulations on the hallmarking of precious metals.

It was due to be approved by EU bosses but was quietly taken off the agenda and is now unlikely to return for the foreseeable future.

The British jewellery industry objected to the directive on the grounds that the proposed rules would be bad for both consumers and the industry.

Kim Rose, owner of Southampton-based Eclipse Jewellers, Hanover Buildings, said: "This is a case of another EU directive that is a complete waste of public funds.

"Gold should always be hallmarked so we can identify the source and maintain standards.

"The EU directive was a complete nonsense in the first place, which is another of the many reasons why we should advocate a complete withdrawal from Europe."

Hampshire Euro-MP Chris Huhne said: "This is a victory for common sense.

"This directive does not include sufficient safeguards to ensure quality standards or traceability.

"The British Hallmarking tradition has worked well for 700 years and there is no reason to compromise it in this way now."