ST DAVIDS has become the first city to sign a GMO-free zone petition to the European Commission.

On Saturday, protestors demanded that EU law must include the democratic right of local and regional governments to decide whether GM crops can be cultivated in their area.

A cycle ride from Mathry to St Davids - with many of the cyclists dressed as the Rebecca activists of the 1830s-1840s - also marked the Pembrokeshire anti-GM action of four years ago.

On that occasion, protestors stopped GM crop trials at Mathry.

The smallest city in the UK joined with 80 other cities across Europe to mark European GM Opposition Day. The Mayor of St Davids, Cllr John George, signed the GMO-free zones petition, on behalf of the city council.

The event was co-organised by GM-free Cymru and other non-governmental organisations. Also present were representatives of Greenpeace; Gerald Miles, GM Free Cymru, and Gordon James, Friends of the Earth.

The Mayor said: "It is brilliant that St Davids is joining together with other towns and cities. We are a small part of a very big issue. There is a need for simplicity and a natural way of life."