CAMPAIGNERS dressed as canaries were ordered to leave Golden Square Shopping Centre on Saturday.

Helen Gurnani and Tanya Baker, who are campaigning to protect sites across the borough from development, were asked to leave on Saturday afternoon.

However, Helen believes the pair's 'freedom of expression' was blocked by the town centre site's security team.

The Grappenhall resident said: "We didn't have any placards or leaflets, we were only passively raising awareness.

"We were not actively accosting anyone and no one complained."

Golden Square Shopping Centre said its security team visited the pair following complaints from retailers.

A spokeswoman added: "As a centre, we have designated spaces for charities and groups to use to communicate to our shoppers.

"These can be booked via the centre's management team.

"However, our priority is our shoppers' enjoyment of the centre and, therefore, it is our policy to not have any protesting or political campaigning at the centre.

"Therefore, on Saturday, after complaints from retailers we were made aware of the campaigners at the centre and, in line with our policy, politely and respectfully asked for them to stop their unauthorised campaign."

Helen and Tanya have regularly been spotted in their costumes throughout the town – and Helen clarified the reason why canaries were selected.

She said: "The significance of being dressed as canaries is the association with the warning of danger, or pollution, with canaries taken down mines to 'detect' poisonous gases before humans got affected.

"That's we drop down dead.

"It is all about raising awareness."

The pair are also aiming to unite campaign groups across the town.

Anybody interested in joining the 'canaries' is asked to e-mail canariesontour@yahoo.co.uk.