One of the key Cornish campaigners against the proposed 'pasty tax' is urging people to respond to the Government's consultation before the deadline of May 18.

John Endacott, tax partner at Francis Clark with Winter Rule, who organised last month's 'pasty summit' in Truro and spoke at the recent march against the proposals in Falmouth, said it was important to keep up the pressure on Ministers.

John, who is based in the firm's Truro office, said: “The battle is far from over and with the consultation deadline looming it's important that anyone who feels strongly about this tax makes their feelings known.

“We are continuing to gather evidence from the pasty industry in Cornwall and Devon that we intend to present to HM Revenue and Customs and the Treasury.

“We may not persuade the Chancellor to abandon his plans altogether but what we can do is try and influence any changes so that they are better than what is currently on the table.”

Chancellor George Osborne announced in his March Budget that he intended to impose VAT on hot food like pasties and sausage rolls, which are currently exempt.

The announcement has prompted a furious backlash amid fears that the knock-on effect would result in price hikes and falling sales, and has been blamed in part for the Coalition's loss of seats in the local elections.

Among the 40 members of the Cornish Pasty Association alone, Francis Clark has estimated a £30 million reduction in turnover with a £7.5 million cut in the pasty industry's spend and at least 400 jobs at risk if the tax is introduced as planned.

John added: “I am happy to collect responses from local people and the industry as part of our response to the consultation and can be contacted via email at pastytax@francisclark.co.uk.”