A CAMPAIGN is being launched in Newport this weekend for an autumn bank holiday to recognise pioneers of democracy such as the Chartists.

On Saturday's Chartists Ancestors day at St Mary's Institute, Stow Hill, a petition will be unveiled asking for the government to introduce a UK-wide bank holiday, known as democracy day, in honour of early campaigners for equality throughout society.

The proposed day would be around November 4 each year, the day Chartists marched to the Westgate hotel in Newport demanding social reform.

It also falls on the anniversary of the Putney debates, which ran from October 28 1647- November 11, when soldiers and officers from Oliver Cromwell's New Model Army, as well as civilian representation, held discussions on the constitution and future for England.

Those debates are heralded as the conception of British democracy.

Les James, a history lecturer at the University of Wales, Newport, who is involved in setting up the petition said: "We're going to petition, that's what the Chartists did. The TUC found a lot of support for an autumn bank holiday.

"Suggestions included Trafalgar day or British national day, but we feel democracy day would be much more inclusive."

The petition is also due to be launched online in the coming weeks.

Herian, a partnership group set up to promote the industrial history of South Wales, said they believe the Chartist's cause is worthy of recognition.

Kim Colebrook, a spokeswoman for Herian said: "The uprising at Newport is a very important story not just in the history of South Wales, but in the development of UK democracy and it's certainly something that should be remembered annually."