HADDENHAM S Say No to Mereham campaigners are hoping to take their petition to the Government this month. They have broken the 10,000 signature mark - but are still collecting names - and hope to present the petition to Hazel Blears, the Secretary of Stat

HADDENHAM'S Say No to Mereham campaigners are hoping to take their petition to the Government this month.

They have broken the 10,000 signature mark - but are still collecting names - and hope to present the petition to Hazel Blears, the Secretary of State for Local Government and Communities.

The secretary of state will make her final decision by September on the proposal to build a new town between Wilburton and Stretham after receiving a report from the inspector appointed to head up the planning appeal.

Dr Alan James from the Say No to Mereham group said: "Following the local election results in England and Wales, we hope that listening is now properly on the Government agenda. Time will tell."

The campaigners are also urging people to write letters directly to Ms Blears asking her to reject the proposal, put forward by Australian developer Multiplex, for the 5,000-home new town.

Supporters were out on Ely Market Place again on Saturday collecting a further 412 signatures for the petition.

"The level of support and interest remains strong, with many people wanting to know how the campaign is progressing and wishing us well," said Dr James.