Controversial genetically modified crops are to be planted in a field in Sussex.

The field in East Hoathly is included in a list of more than 50 new trial sites announced by the Government. GM oilseed rape will be planted there.

The Government has unveiled the location of the sites despite the risk of protests.

In previous British GM trials a number of fields have been dug up and crops destroyed.

But Ministers said it was important for the public to be aware of what was happening in their neighbourhood.

Detailed information on the Farm Scale Evaluation programme is being sent to parish councils and local authorities.

More information on the sites will be published in the next ten days.

Ministers yesterday sought to reassure the public they were not at risk.

They said the seeds involved had been through years of rigorous safety tests.

Environment Minister Michael Meacher said: "The purpose of these trials is to provide systematic answers to the question as to whether the planting of herbicide-tolerant GM crops, and the use of weedkillers associated with them, will cause any detriment to wildlife."

Depending on weather and soil conditions, oilseed rape will be sown from mid to late March through April.

Julian Salmon, Green Party parliamentary hopeful for Wealden, said: "Not enough is understood about the problem of separation distances between GM crops and other crops.

"Not all the reports about the contamination of oil seed rape in Canada have been completed and as far as I'm concerned these trials shouldn't be going ahead.

"The money spent on these trials should be invested instead on promoting organic farming."