The Wiltshire Times has launched a campaign to strip an Army officer of his OBE.

Lt Col Giles Stibbe is to receive the honour for services in the former Yugoslavia.

But the news has sparked outrage among families of three people killed in an horrific crash in 2000, as Lt Col Stibbe was convicted of dangerous driving for his part in the West Ashton tragedy.

Following the tragedy he was fined £750, but escaped a jail term after being cleared of all three counts of causing death.

And in less than a week, hundreds of readers have acknowledged the anguish of the families by signing the petition.

Reporter Jenny Haworth, who is behind the campaign, said: “The campaign is going extremely well and signatures for our petition are flooding in.

“One local mum has even been out campaigning for signatures with us.”

Protesters from Oxford, London and as far away as Madrid have added their names in support of the petition, and shops and pubs in Townbridge and Melksham have also backed the campaign.

The Queen is due to present Lt Col Stibbe with his medal later this year.

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