Geldof praises anti-debt campaigners

70,000 people formed a human chain around the city centre

Bob Geldof has praised anti-debt campaigners in Birmingham.

Geldof, who organised the world's biggest charity concert Live Aid, made his comments during a visit to the city to mark the anniversary of a protest against third-world debt at the G8 summit five years ago.

During the summit, 70,000 people formed a human chain around Birmingham's International Convention Centre.

Geldof says the campaign has really made a difference.

'Important march'

He told the BBC's Midlands Today programme: "Five years ago in Birmingham was a phenomenon that had really far reaching consequences.

"As a civic society movement, there probably hasn't been one as big or important since the anti-apartheid movement or civil rights marches."

Anti-debt campaign group, Jubilee Research, says G8 countries have failed to meet their own debt reduction targets.

It is urging French president Jacques Chirac to use his chairmanship of this year's summit to cancel Africa's debts.