MEMBERS of a North Craven action group are to take part in a vigil outside Channel Four's London headquarters to protest about a programme.

Families Involved in Raising Media Awareness (FIRMA) was formed in Giggleswick a couple of years ago by parents concerned about the levels of sex, violence and bad language on our television screens.

Now it has joined forces with the National Viewers and Listeners Association (VALA) - Mary Whitehouse's group - and another organisation with the same concerns, called Propre.

Pippa Smith, of FIRMA, met with representatives of the other groups in London in December, and they are hoping to advance their shared agenda with co-ordinated pressure.

This became more urgent, however, when FIRMA heard about a programme on bestiality planned by Channel Four, which horrified members.

As a result, the first action the groups are to take is a vigil outside Channel Four. It is expected to take place some time this month to draw attention to their disapproval of the subject matter of the programme.

'The vigil will be an initial action,' said Pippa, who has just moved from Giggleswick to Cheltenham but remains in touch with FIRMA colleagues in the Settle area.

'We have decided to hold a meeting in March and invite other organisations and interested parties to come along.

'When we have had this meeting we hope to have something on a bigger scale to make an impact.'

One of FIRMA's first actions was to compile a petition demanding changes to the law.

It was signed by novelist Joanna Trollope among others, and the group was helped by local MP David Curry in bringing it to the attention of the Government.

However, members received a disappointing response from Culture Secretary Chris Smith.

'It was very complacent and said that the Government felt that the regulations in place were reasonable,' Pippa told the Herald.

'After that we felt we were casting about as to what to do and felt that some sort of co-ordination between ourselves and various other groups nationwide for some action might be a good idea.'

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