PRO-LIFE campaigners have launched a petition against the 'gruesome' possibility of human cloning.

Members of the Chesham and Amersham branch of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC), who also campaign against abortion and euthanasia, started to distribute the petitions to churches and schools in June.

Amanda Lewin, 28, chairman of the 65-strong Amersham and Chesham Pro-life branch, said: 'The Donaldson Committee, which advises the Government on human cloning, may soon recommend that so-called therapeutic cloning should be allowed. This process involves the creation of individual embryos - new and distinct human beings. It is gruesome to think that human beings could be called into existence for a purely utilitarian purpose.'

The Chesham and Amersham campaigners, who staged a peaceful road-side demonstration in April, were planning to present their signed petitions to the Government tomorrow as part of a national effort by the group.

But due to what Mrs Lewin described as 'strong local support' she intends to collect more signatures.

Councillor Davida Allen (Lib Dem, Amersham Town) admitted to having not heard of the group or petition, but was sympathetic. She said: 'The campaigners are right and proper to uphold the sanctity of human life. I believe that they are boundaries below which we should not go.'

A spokesman for the Department of Health said: 'The Government is opposed to human cloning but will be considering the Donaldson Committee's report into so-called therapeutic cloning.

'Experts and groups will bring forward recommendations but ministers have not yet met to discuss the report.'