United Y-front against the French

The French Embassy has been inundated with hate mail from writers pledging to give up their favourite French plonk or perfume following the resumption of nuclear testing at Muroroa Atoll.

How far it has hit French products has yet to be calculated. But an embassy spokeswoman says that if the mail coming into her office is representative, French wine sales could tumble.

Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe’s campaign for Media Natura showing the attempted assassination of President Jacques Chirac should have given the embassy an indication of public opinion. However, the latest anti-nuclear marketing ploy – introduced this week – marks a fresh offensive. Underwear giant Jockey is giving men a chance to make their point with a range of anti-nuclear underwear, on sale in New Zealand this week.

British men may also get a chance to bare all in the name of nuclear protestation. UK Jockey marketing chiefs are looking at introducing the briefs decorated with a frog and a mushroom cloud. If the prospect of Poms dropping their trousers does not deter the French, nothing will.