THE Tory Party weighed in with the "metric martyr" yesterday - and nearly caused a further brush with the law after an order for quarter pounder burgers.

Police were called to McDonald's in Sunderland when a media scrum descended on the fast food restaurant to see Shadow Trade Minister Alan Duncan pass on his leader's support to greengrocer Steve Thoburn.

The visit was a publicity stunt to illustrate what the Tories said was the absurdity of a law that allowed quarter pounder burgers to be sold, although Mr Thoburn faced court proceedings accused of selling bananas in pounds, with no kilos alternative.

But McDonald's management did not take kindly to photographers and TV cameras filming without permission. When a police officer arrived, he made sure they stayed outside while Mr Thoburn and Mr Duncan finished their meal.

A McDonald's spokesman said: "The quarter pounder burger is sold by product name not by product weight. For customer information, the metric weight of 113.4g is listed on the board."

Mr Duncan was in town to deliver a message of support to Mr Thoburn from Tory leader William Hague.

Mr Hague said through Mr Duncan: "It is an absurd prosecution which should never have been brought and I hope that common sense and choice will continue."

Mr Duncan said: "The Tory Party is against compulsory metrification. The European Directive should be amended so that people are given a freedom of choice."

Back in court, Michael Shrimpton, representing Mr Thoburn, warned that traditions, such as a pint of beer, were being threatened as Britain was dragged by Europe to metrification.

He told the hearing at Sunderland Magistrates' Court that Europe was intent on converting Britain into a purely metric system.

Mr Thoburn, 36, of Sunderland, has denied two charges of selling goods using scales not approved by trading standards officers. The case continues.