Protest at proposed shopping site

Campaigners say they are being "stonewalled" by developers

Activists have held a demonstration outside a £1.5bn shopping complex in west London to lobby developers over jobs for local people.

Members of West London Citizens claim they are being "stonewalled" by Westfield, which is building the centre in Wood Lane, White City.

They want workers to be paid the Living Wage, a London-weighted minimum wage, which stands at £7.20 an hour.

Westfield pledged to pay its own recruits the Living Wage.

But spokesman Simon Holberton said he could not guarantee the stores within the complex, due to open in 2008, would also agree to sign up to it.

Mr Holberton said Westfield was also committed to employing locally and has agreed to meet with campaigners to discuss their concerns.

The London Living Wage, calculated by the mayor's Living Wage unit, is considered the level of pay required to live adequately.

Employers have subscribed to the Living Wage on a voluntary basis.