A KENT man is one of 13 people facing trial at Cardiff Crown Court for allegedly being involved in Greenpeace protest against GM crops on a ship off the south Wales coast.

The nine men and four women, aged between 27 and 48, pleaded not guilty to causing a public nuisiance on June 19 when they appeared in the dock on Monday.

The 90,000 tonne MV Etoile, one of the biggest cargo ships in the world, was allegedly boarded in the Bristol Channel off Rhoose.

The defendants, bailed previously by Barry magistrates and again on Monday by High Court judge Mr Justice Roderick Evans, include Timothy Hewke, 44, from The Quay, Conyer, near Sittingbourne.

The trial of the 13 will take place in Cardiff next summer and is expected to last several weeks.

Dozens of witnesses are likely to be called to give evidence and will include expert on the growing of GM crops.