A CHURCH leader today defended charity campaigners who are using Southampton's oldest building to get their fair trade message across.

The Rev Ian Johnson, rector of Southampton city parish, admitted he had received a complaint about two banners which have been hung from St Michael's Church.

Put up at the weekend, the eye-catching "Make Poverty History" banners are part of a week-long campaign by major charities to bring attention to the issue.

The larger of the two banners was paraded around Southamp-ton city centre on Saturday, where shoppers were invited to sign it to show their support, before it was hoisted on the spire at St Michael's.

Robin Drummond, of Christian Aid in Southampton, said the banners encouraged people to think about world trade rules and their effect on developing countries.

Not everyone has been impressed with the publicity stunt, though. One woman has contacted Mr Johnson this week to complain about Southampton's oldest building being used in such a way.

The church, in Castle Street in the old part of the city, is believed to have been built in about 1070.

It is understood the woman who complained thought it was in bad taste to use such a historic building for advertising.

Mr Johnson said: "The idea is to draw people's attention to this week of action against poverty."