SHOPKEEPERS who break the law and sell in imperial measures have the overwhelming support of the British public - with particular backing from women.

In a clear signal that European-driven legislation is out of touch with the wishes of the British people, a survey has shown that the vast majority of the electorate still think in pounds and ounces.

The poll, carried out by ICM for The Ecologist magazine, interviewed a wide cross section of people following the recent conviction of Sunderland greengrocer Steve Thoburn for selling a trading standards officer a pound of bananas.

Mr Thoburn and his fellow trader, Neil Herron, who may also face prosecution, were dubbed the Metric Martyrs after the landmark case attracted international publicity. An appeal against the conviction has been lodged.

The result made it clear that it is now illegal for traders to sell goods in Imperial measures even if that is what the customer requests. Weighing and pricing at the point of sale must be carried out in metric.

The results of the ICM poll, which saw 1,000 people questioned last week, showed such a position was against the wishes of the British public.

Seventy five per cent of those questioned support shopkeepers continuing to sell goods in pounds and ounces; 74 per cent prefered Imperial to Metric; 70 per cent said it should be left to shopkeepers and customers what measuring system is used; while 56 per cent said the Sunderland prosecution had made them less in favour of the EU.

Last night, Mr Herron, who is standing as an Independent in the General Election for the Sunderland North seat, said the results confirmed the views expressed by ordinary British people who have written thousands of letters of support to him and Mr Thoburn.

He said: "It is wrong that a European directive can make criminals out of shopkeepers who are merely continuing to give customers what they want."