MORE than 50 MPs joined campaigners from Lincolnshire to discuss issues surrounding the Nocton super-dairy.

Austin Mitchell, Labour MP for Grimsby, invited Lincolnshire campaigners and members of animal welfare groups to attend a reception at Portcullis House, in Westminster.

The event was organised to underline the strength of feeling against the proposal to build an 8,100-cow dairy farm at a site in Lincolnshire.

MPs and peers from across the political spectrum attended the event, along with celebrities who oppose the dairy plans, such as actor Andrew Sachs and model and actress Natalie Cox.

Lincolnshire representatives, such as Linda and Charlie Wardale, from Vegan Lincs, and Deborah Wilson and Ian Glaister, from Campaign Against Factory Farming Operations (CAFFO), also attended.

MPs were asked to sign an early day motion to support the campaign against the dairy, which took the form of a giant, cut-out cow.

Speaking after the event, leading campaigner Mrs Wardale said: "I was very disappointed no MPs were present to represent Lincolnshire, even though their constituents were able to attend. The event was very humbling given that I was the 'lone vegan voice in Lincolnshire' opposing the Nocton Dairy on the day the plans were released back in February.

"It has been a roller coaster journey to try and protect the county I was born in.

"I was very proud to accompany my husband Charlie, representing Lincolnshire and be part of a campaign that has now taken the plight of Nocton right to the seat of Government.

"Charlie and I representing Vegan Lincs, along with Deborah Wilson and Ian Glaister from the CAFFO group in Nocton, were praised as being the 'unsung heroes' of the campaign.

"We came away from London feeling very positive that there is now a glimmer of hope we may preserve our countryside and put a stop to the current trend of unsustainable factory farming."

The reception was also attended by representatives from Compassion In World Farming (CIWF) and the World Society For The Protection Of Animals (WSPA), who jointly organised the event.

Presentations were made by WSPA's director general Michael Baker, and CIWF's chief executive Philip Lymbery

Mr Lymbery said: "We are at a pivotal moment in history for animal welfare, our countryside, and indeed our farming community.

"Any support will help prevent the runaway train that mega-dairies are likely to represent if let loose – colliding with profound consequences into the health of our countryside, the prosperity of family farms, and, of course, the welfare of our cows."

Simon Pope, head of external affair for WSPA, said: "The strength of feeling about this issue in Westminster is clear – 51 MPs showing their concern by attending the reception and many more sending messages of support.

"Our next step is to ensure as many MPs as possible sign up to the early day motion backing the campaign against mega-dairies and we'll be encouraging our supporters to lobby their own MPs to make this happen."

Plans for the Nocton Dairy are expected to be resubmitted in the near future.