PEACE campaigners in Swindon are planning a trip to Palestine to promote friendship links with the town of Beit Fajjar in the Bethlehem district.

Beit Fajjar is a small town of 12,000 people next to the controversial new wall that the Israeli government is constructing.

There has been fighting in the town during recent years and many of the population are refugees.

Unemployment there has risen dramatically since the traditional quarries in the area were cut off from their markets by the wall.

Swindon Stop The War Coalition and CND are hosting a public meeting on Tuesday where Joanne Moston, a health visitor from Gloucester, will be describing her experiences after several trips working in refugee camps in Palestine.

Bridget Lucas, the organiser of next Tuesday's meeting, said: "The people of Beit Fajjar have suffered terribly due to the ongoing war, but they are struggling to build a new life and future for themselves and their families.

"We are sending a delegation to develop real practical help for the people of that town and we are seeking community groups, clubs, sporting and youth groups, musicians, workers and organisations in Swindon to form links with people doing the same things in Beit Fajjar."

At least four people are planning to travel, including Bridget, Andy Newman, who is the secretary of Swindon Stop The War Coalition, Jolyon Gibbs, a brewer from Wootton Bassett, and Joanne Clothier, a care worker from Brinkworth.

Mr Newman said: "We had a talk from a teacher who had visited Palestine and it inspired us.

"The contacts with the outside world make a huge difference in keeping up the morale of the Palestinians. And the practical help we can offer is hugely useful to these very poor people."

Some organisations in Swindon are already making links with their Palestinian counterparts.

The Millen Advice Point, in Manchester Road, is interested in forging links with the Al Qandel Cultural Center in Beit Fajjar.

Mrs Lucas has already spoken to a number of women's groups in Swindon who wish to develop links with the women's group within the cultural centre.

Beit Fajjar has a folklore and dance tradition, which the local children like to perform.

"It is a hope of the Swindon twinning group that they can one day bring children to perform in Swindon.

The public meeting starts at 7.30pm at the Friends meeting House, Eastcott Hill, Swindon. Everyone is welcome.

Any groups interested in developing twinning links can write to Bridget Lucas, care of PO Box 1177, Swindon, SN1 4XB.