In the 2001 census, there will be no special box for people to tick in order to classify their nationality as Welsh.

Welsh people will only have the option of classifying themselves as British, Irish or Other.

In Scotland, however, people will have the choice of describing themselves as Scottish through a special tick box which the Scottish Parliament has insisted is included on the forms.

For 'Welsh', read 'Other'

The Office for National Statistics has so far refused to include a Welsh tick box, saying that if people want to class themselves as Welsh they can tick the box marked "Other" and then write "Welsh" alongside.

This has provoked anger in some quarters in Wales, and there have been growing calls for Welsh people to be given the same status as the Scots.

A vociferous newspaper campaign to get the census forms changed has been launched; the Welsh Local Government Association has backed the calls, and a lawyer is seeking a judicial review of the decision.

'Insult' to Welsh

In the latest development, a campaigning body, the Census Reform Group, has published an amended version of the census form to include a Welsh tick box.

Ray Davies, co-ordinator of The Census Reform Group said, "This is an unmitigated insult to the Welsh people. It is a kick in the teeth for those many patriots who campaigned passionately for our new National Assembly.