VOTE 2004, the campaign for a referendum on the European Constitution, this week announced over one hundred new prominent supporters backing the campaign for a referendum in 2004.

The new group, which is drawn from all walks of life, includes Body Shop founder and environmental campaigner Anita Roddick, Private Eye Editor Ian Hislop, writer Will Self, actress Joanna Lumley, Welcome Trust Chairman Sir Dominic Cadbury and John Bird, founder and editor of the Big Issue.

The group also includes Sir Bill Morris, publishing tycoon and Labour donor Felix Dennis, George Carey, former BBC Chairman Marmaduke Hussey, General Charles Guthrie, Nobel Prize-winning writer Vidia Naipaul, Charter 88 founder Stuart Weir and Shree Venilal Vaghela, Chairman of the Hindu Council (UK).

Campaigners from across Europe launch a joint call for a referendum on the European Constitution to coincide with the three-way summit in Berlin.

Campaigners from “Vote 2004”, “Mehr Demokratie” in Germany and “Europe 2020” in France held a series of events in the capital as part of the European Referendum Campaign. Hard-hitting adverts on poster vans targeting the summit site call on Tony Blair, Jacques Chirac and Gerhard Schröder to give their voters a referendum on the new EU Constitution. The adverts call for a referendum in French, German and English.

Campaigners will unveil a giant advert calling for a referendum at the Brandenburg Gate, near where the leaders are meeting.

Neil O’Brien from Vote 2004 said:- “Nine out of ten British voters want a referendum. This new campaign aims to make Europe’s leaders listen to the people and give them a vote on Europe’s future."

THIS WEEK'S quiz, we have 2 tickets to the Vue Cinema to give away.  All you have to do is email us the 3 answers by 12 noon Friday 27 February with your full name phone number and address.

Question 1.  In the film Ghostbusters™ the Stay Puft Marshmallow man was a favourite with the fans, but what was the name of the green blob, ghosts name?

Question 2. In TV what is meant by Roll VT?

Question 3. What was the name of the first film that we reviewed on this site?

Email us at:- film-quiz1@southportreporter.com

LIVERPOOL motorists are being asked to be environmentally friendly by making sure their vehicle exhausts are in proper working order.

A campaign which will encourage motorists to make sure their cars' exhausts are clean and efficient is due to start in the next few weeks. It will be carried out by the City Council's Environmental Health and Trading Standards Service in partnership with Merseyside Police and the Transport Research Laboratories.

Roadside tests will be carried out at two sites in the city, at Edge Lane leading to the M62 and at the Strand, near to the Albert Dock, which have been designated air quality management areas.

Initially the tests, which last only a few minutes, will be voluntary and advisory. Motorists whose cars fail to meet MOT requirements will be encouraged to have the faults rectified at a garage. However, these advisory tests will be followed by formal testing in which £60 Fixed Penalty Notices will be issued if a vehicle fails the test by more than 10%. If a vehicle fails by under 10% advice will be given to visit a garage and rectify the fault.

The £60 charge will be waived if the owner provides evidence that, within 14 days, the defect has been fixed and the vehicle complies with the law.

"This is not an exercise to bash the motorist but to improve the quality of air in Liverpool, most of the air pollution is caused by vehicles and this amounts to about three quarters of the pollution.

Reducing the emissions from car exhaust means everyone benefits. Cars and other vehicles are the main sources of nitrogen dioxide in the atmosphere and if we cut those levels we will improve our air quality and produce a much healthier environment.

And clean and efficient cars save motorists money through reduced fuel and maintenance costs." said Councillor Richard Oglethorpe, Executive Member for the Environment.

Testing starts on March 8 and lasts throughout the month.

LOUD SESSIONS... Monthly @ Carling Academy 2, The best unsigned showcase North of London! Four rock, indie & alternative acts play each month. 7pm – 11pm £3adv/NUS/flyer £4others, Thur Feb 26 Metro Manila Aid, Cadium, Dead Cell & guests. Thur Mar 18 Enemo J, Adrenalin & guests.

PROJECT 47... Monthly @ Carling Academy 2, Billed as the ‘hardest most diverse rock night with a difference, Project 47 brings together the best local rock acts every month @ Carling Academy 2 with support from DJ Relic. 7pm – 11pm £3adv £4others Fri March 5 – Friday special with Atonal, Pierpoint & Second Nature.

BOON ARMY... Last Thursday of the month @ Carling Academy 2 Legendary DJ Clint Boon [Inspiral Carpets] switches days for his excellent ‘merseybeat to madchester’ mayhem to the last Thursday of the month – the weekend starts here! Over 18s stay for free after any Thursday night gig! 10.30pm – 2am £4NUS/£5others, Feb 26, Mar 25, Apr 29 & May 28

MONKEY BUSINESS... Monthly Saturdays @ Carling Academy 2, Defected from the Lemon Lounge this diverse event features everything from drum and bass, breaks, house, techno and back again! 10pm – 2am £5 door special drinks offers £2 pint Carling, vodka & mixer, bottle Java! Feb 14 DJ Hi, Mark Wilson, Dash & Coli.