MANY Herefordshire demonstrators joined the Make Poverty History march in Edinburgh.

But pride of place must go to Merry Hellier, who walked 400 miles from Birmingham to Gleneagles for the G8 summit.

The 66-year-old Christian Aid organiser in Hereford is a veteran protester in the cause of removing the burden of debt from poor countries.

Six years ago, she walked from the Scottish island of Iona to London and regularly attends G8 meetings around the world to make her protest heard.

"It has been hard and our feet are very sore but I am sure that we make a difference.

"I believe that the British Government is on board but we still have to work on George Bush and members of the European Union," said Merry.

Campaigners from Orleton and the Leominster Fair Trade Town project also travelled by coach to Scotland.

"The event was amazing and the atmosphere great," said Orleton villager Barbara Mark.

"Nearly everyone was wearing white. It seemed very appropriate considering the reasons for being there - caring for each other and finding a fair way to trade around the world which does not disadvantage the poorest.

"We circled the city centre from 1-5.30pm.

"There were grandparents and babies in prams and all ages in between.

"We had a beautiful sunny weekend and a sunny welcome."

No-one on the main demonstration saw an incident in which anarchists reportedly threw chairs through windows, said Barbara.

Edinburgh also had its own Live 8 concert with Eddie Izzard and many stars but the march was the most significant event, she added.

Among the others taking part were sixth formers from Hereford College, who made the journey by overnight coach.

One of them was Emile Cox, who hopes the demonstrations will help the 30,000 people who die every day in Africa because of poverty.

She described a one-minute silence as very moving and had a feeling of pride she had been part of the biggest demonstration ever held in Scotland.

"The day soon came to an end but the hope remained with me that the demonstration would make a difference and that the efforts of those involved would not have been in vain," Emile added.