Radiohead is urging campaigners to join a mass anti-poverty lobby of Oxfordshire MPs.

Oxford's most famous rock band has thrown its weight behind the Christian Aid co-ordinated Trade Justice Movement, which has organised lobbies to take place across the country on June 27 and 28.

The movement consists of local groups from organisations including Oxfam, the Women's Institute and trade unions campaigning to stop unfair trade rules and alleviate world poverty.

Ed O'Brien, of Radiohead, said: "Our politicians have failed to grasp what harm this Government is doing by pushing for more and more free trade -- without taking into consideration its effect on poor people and their environment.

"I would urge anyone who feels strongly about world poverty to join the Trade Justice Movement MP Lobby Marathon."

Liz Kyte, of Oxfordshire Christian Aid, said: "We live in a world where a child dies of hunger every eight seconds. We must make trade work for the poor, which means international trade rules need to be weighted to benefit poor people and the planet."

On June 27, campaigners will lobby Witney MP David Cameron at St Mary's Church, Witney, from 6 to 7pm; Banbury MP, Tony Baldry at 4pm at Dovecote House, Bloxham; and Wantage MP Robert Jackson, from 2.30 to 3.30pm at Didcot Town Hall.

On June 28 they will lobby Andrew Smith, Oxford east MP and Evan Harris, Oxford West and Abingdon at Oxford Town Hall, from 10am to noon.

The Oxford lobby is part of a national campaign to alleviate world poverty. The city event will include talks from Kenyan and Colombian campaigners on the impact of unfair trade rules, and from MEP Caroline Lucas.

For more information contact Liz Kyte on 01865 246818.