COLDPLAY - MARTIN PRAISES BROWN AND BLAIR

COLDPLAY rocker CHRIS MARTIN has hailed British Prime Minister TONY BLAIR and Chancellor Of The Exchequer GORDON BROWN as "heroes" for their dedication to fair trade.

But the SPEED OF SOUND star, a vocal campaigner for trade justice, fears that the UK government's efforts against developing world debt may be in vain without US support.

Martin says, "Gordon Brown is a hero. Every politician has to cater to their electorate in terms of winning the next election, but his focus on Africa is extraordinary. It doesn't win as many votes as lowering taxes.

"He and Tony Blair deserve credit. My feeling is that everybody should be as nice as possible to America in the hope that they'll change their mind.

"It's like organising a concert and THE BEATLES not agreeing to play. We can't do anything without America. They need to be encouraged to indulge in fair trade."