AN ACCLAIMED poet was among Welsh language activists who began a hunger strike yesterday over planning laws described as a “charter for big developers.”

Mererid Hopwood became the first woman to be crowed National Eisteddfod chairwoman in 2001 after winning the prestigious national poetry competition.

And she is one of 20 Cymdeithas yr Iaith Cymraeg (Welsh Language Society) activists taking part in the 24-hour fast in protest against the Welsh government’s Planning Bill.