Ricky Tomlinson in Shrewsbury 'flying pickets' protest march

Royle Family star Ricky Tomlinson is to lead a march in Shrewsbury as part of a campaign to clear the name of workers jailed over the "flying pickets" building workers' strike nearly 40 years ago.

Union leaders, MPs and a campaign group have been calling for a fresh investigation into 24 workers who were tried in Shrewsbury. They were accused of violent crimes during the national strike of builders in 1972.

The "Shrewsbury Two" - Tomlinson and Des Warren - were both jailed for two years for their part in the incident, another man received a lesser term and 21 others received suspended sentences.

A march as part of the campaign will take place in Shrewsbury on Saturday, followed by a rally outside Shrewsbury Crown Court, where the group was sentenced in 1973.

Guest speakers at the event will be the general secretary of the RMT Union Bob Crow and president of the Public and Commercial Services Union Janice Godrich.

The film director Ken Loach has thrown his weight behind the campaign by recording an intro to a music CD which will be released and sold on the same day as the march.

Robert "H" O'Harney, secretary of the Shropshire and Telford Trades Council, which has organised the event said: "It's important that this miscarriage of justice is overturned and that these men have their names cleared for being in a trade union who's only crime was trying to improve the terms and conditions of their members.

Criminal

"That's why hundreds of people from all over the country will be in Shropshire this Saturday in support of this campaign."

He said a case was being prepared to be put forward to the Criminal Case Review Commission and if successful it "could see the case being referred to the Court of Appeal."

Mr O'Harney said the purpose of the march and rally was to raise much needed funds for the costly legal fees and help raise awareness and the profile of the campaign.

He said: "Last year a similar event attracted more than 300 people and it is expected that the turnout will be far greater this year."

The march will start at 11am from the Abbey Foregate Car Park in the town.