A LOCAL vicar and an MP joined representatives from charities to launch a new major campaign.

Oxford East MP Andrew Smith and the Rev Bob Wilkes, vicar at St Michael at the Northgate Church, Cornmarket Street, shared breakfast with the group outside the church yesterday for the Enough Food for Everybody If... campaign.

It calls on the Government to act now on hunger and malnutrition in childhood across the globe, and is supported by 100 charities and development organisations, including Christian Aid, CAFOD, Christian Concern for One World, Save The Children and Cowley-based Oxfam.

Campaigners want Prime Minister and Witney MP David Cameron to use the UK’s G8 presidency in 2013 to take action on the causes of hunger in the poorest countries.

Mr Smith said: “It is shocking that although we live in a world with enough food for everyone, every hour 300 children die from malnutrition and millions more face a daily struggle to find food.

“It is morally imperative that Britain, the G8 and the governments of all developed nations act decisively to tackle the global food crisis.”

The campaign is believed to be the largest coalition since Make Poverty History in 2005.