A GIANT pasty will help to get the 'Hands off Devonport' message across to Government ministers.

In what is becoming a tradition, a popular Devonport baker has made the 7lb monster to show their support for Devonport Naval Base amid fears over the impact of next month's Government spending axe.

Ron Dewdney Ltd, whose shop is outside St Levan gate, baked the whopper this week as the campaign by The Herald, the city council, city politicians and trade unionists got into its stride.

The Government's Strategic Defence and Security Review is looking at all options for cutting back Britain's Armed Forces.

According to claims in The Sunday Times at the weekend, the MoD is to order the Royal Navy to cut £1.5 billion a year from its budget.

Observers fear Devonport Naval Base will bear the brunt of the cuts.

Next month, when Plymouth activists take a petition to Downing Street, another giant Ron Dewdney pasty will go with them.

The company, now owned by Katrina Hanmer, has been making pasties for the Dockyard workers for 70 years.

In 1993 they sent a similar giant pasty with a petition to London as part of the Trident campaign.

Katrina Hanmer said: "Back then I was still in primary school. The company was asked to make a whopper pasty by the Transport and General Workers' Union.

"Three coaches of Dockyard workers made the trip and handed over the pasty. I would like to think John Major, the then Prime Minister, had it for tea."

If so, Mr Major would not have needed seconds: Ron Dewdney's whoppers are the size of 16 medium pasties.

The company has been based outside St Levan Gate in Keyham Road for 70 years.

It delivers pasties on board all the Royal Navy's ships in Devonport, and returning ships are met at the Breakwater by a boat-load of Ron Dewdney's finest.

"Devonport Naval Base is key to our business and has shaped it for many years," Ms Hanmer said. "We have fed thousands of workers and naval personal with our pasties.

"We are happy to fly the flag and have e-mailed Dr Liam Fox, the Defence Secretary."

Around Plymouth, many others joined in the letter-writing campaign launched by council leader Vivien Pengelly last week.

Players from Plymouth Argyle will be donning Devonport flag T-shirts before tonight's game against Walsall.

During half-time, club directors will sign a letter to Dr Fox.

Team captain Carl Fletcher said: "The lads know that Devonport affects the lives and livelihoods of many of our fans.

"We are proud to represent the city, and the dressing room is united in its concern for them, and for the future of the yard.

"We hope the MoD will consider all the positive factors that The Herald is highlighting in its campaign when making its decision."

In the city centre yesterday Steve Churchward, a driver with Citybus, said: "My grandfather worked in the Dockyard 45 years ago. It used to be the soul of Plymouth, but it has dwindled away."

Folk singer Phil de Glass, who was busking in the city, said: "I want to see them keep the Navy here. It's part of Plymouth seafaring tradition and provides a lot of work." The sea also provides inspiration for Mr de Glass's singing. He's a regular at Kitty O'Hanlons.

Keren Edwards, at Beaux Cadeaux gift shop in Frankfort Gate, said: "The Naval Base is a valuable part of our heritage."

The campaign, which started last week with just 40 days to save the Naval Base, has mobilised intense lobbying from Plymouth's politicians, unions and workers.

The Government is expected to publish a White Paper just before next month's Comprehensive Spending Review. The White Paper will contain some decisions about the future shape of Britain's armed forces and some 'options for consultation'.

The Herald will be sending copies of the newspaper to Dr Fox to ensure he understands the depth of feeling.

Vivien Pengelly, the council leader, is writing to Dr Fox to ask for an urgent face-to-face meeting. She said yesterday the letter would be delivered by one of the city's MPs, and she hoped members of the Devonport Strategy Group would be able to attend the meeting.

The group, which met two weeks ago to decide on a common stance, includes politicians from both main parties and union leaders.