PEOPLE campaigning against a proposed free trade agreement being negotiated between the United States and European Union took their fight to Keighley Town Centre this month.

Locally-based members of the 38 Degrees group handed out leaflets outside Keighley Bus Station, highlighting their arguments against the Transatlantic Trade & investment Partnership. (TTIP)

They said they wanted to raise awareness of the negative effects of this potential agreement.

Campaigner Richard Tassell, speaking on behalf of the group, said: "TTIP isn't a deal for citizens, small farmers, consumers, workers or small business. It's all about pushing a big business agenda.

"For example the deal would 'lock in' the privatisation of public services like the NHS, prevent governments from properly regulating and taxing the banks whilst encouraging fracking and fossil fuel production.

"It would also harm consumers' online rights and threaten health and safety and food hygiene standards. In short it removes democratic oversight from many areas of big business."

He said a group of about eight to 10 people had spent an hour and a half handing out leaflets in Keighley town centre.

"We had some useful discussions with people, and they were receptive to our message," he added. "It is a big issue, but it 's also something which isn't immediately obvious to most of the population.