A group of Scottish fishermen's wives have stepped up their fight against cuts in fish catches being proposed by scientists and the European Commission.

The women from Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, have formed theselves into the Community Cod Crusaders in a bid to save fishing communities and thousands of jobs.

They have already organised public meetings in north-east Scotland and carried their message to Westminster and Prime Minister Tony Blair.

At a news conference in Peterhead on Thursday they accused the prime minister of passing the buck.

Cod stocks have dwindled

They revealed the reply from 10 Downing Street simply said that Mr Blair asked for their views to be passed to the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)

The Crusaders are contesting proposals to ban all fishing round Britain for cod - with scientists and the European Commission warning that stocks are near collapse.

Fishermen's leaders have warned that a ban could put most of Scotland's fishing fleet out of business, with the loss of between 10,000 and 15,000 jobs.

The women now plan to raise a petition of about 30,000 signatures in fishing communities throughout Scotland to use in a mass lobby of the Scottish Parliament on 5 December.

Fishing grounds

Last week they handed over a 6,000 signature petition to Banff and Buchan MP Alex Salmond at Westminster.

European Fisheries Commissioner Franz Fischler said he wanted to explore options other than the closure of the fishing grounds.

But he also warned of hardship for the Scottish fleet.

Mr Fischler's recommendations will be put to European ministers in December for a final decision.