AN MP was showered with chicken-shaped postcards as he backed a Friends of the Earth campaign turning the spotlight on possible links between factory farms and climate change.

Oxford East MP Andrew Smith received the unlikely bombardment at Gloucester Green, Oxford, on Thursday after helping destroy a giant papier maché egg pinata containing hundreds of postcards from his constituents.

He was supporting the Food Chain Campaign.

Mr Smith, left, said: “My mailbag and email inbox show growing public concern about factory farming and support for Friends of the Earth’s call for planet-friendly farming.

“I am committed to fixing the food chain, supporting environmentally responsible farming and helping small farmers.”

Oxford Friends of the Earth spokesman James Blair said the meat and dairy industry contributed more to climate change than planes, cars and lorries.

He said: “We need the Government to help small and planet-friendly farms instead of huge, damaging factory farms.”