A West Country daily’s campaign calling for a halt to a proposed tax on pasties has seen half a million people sign a petition against the plans.

The Plymouth based Western Morning News launched its Axe The Pasty Tax campaign following proposals by chancellor George Osborne to end VAT exemption for hot bakery goods.

The newspaper fears the proposals would have a major impact on the West Country and 13,000 jobs in the pasty industry.

The campaign recently saw 300 pasties made in Cornwall handed out to politicians in the House of Commons.

The give-a-pasty-to-an-MP event was organised by the paper’s London editor Graeme Demianyk in Westminster Hall’s Jubilee Room.

Said Graeme:”This event really graphically demonstrated the ability of a regional newspaper to make the concerns of its readers heard in the corridors of power in Westminster.

“We are extremely hopeful that the Government will heed the clear warning on these potentially extremely damaging proposals.”

As part of Axe The Pasty Tax a 500,000 strong petition was handed to Downing Street by campaigners

The Northcliffe-owned newspaper issued a final call to the Prime Minister and George Osborne to scrap the idea in a leader column.

It read: “A £2.50 pasty or pie going up to almost £3 is a big deal. And here in the Westcountry, pasties are a £30 million industry. The hearty combination of meat, pastry and root vegetables supports hundreds of jobs, directly and indirectly, some of which would undoubtedly be put at risk by a tax which is unfair and unnecessary.

“The people have spoken and their words and wishes could not be clearer: Axe the Pasty Tax. David and George, you know what you have to do.”

A government consultation on the issue is due to end shortly.