EARLY Christmas presents from the Welsh Language Society will greet Bangor shoppers today (Saturday, 14th November) as campaigners give away free Boots 'Advantage' cards in the town.Turning Boots' slogan on its head, the Welsh Language Socety's alternative loyalty points cards will read "there are no points whatsoever for using Welsh". Boots will also benefit from new employees, provided by Cymdeithas, who will offer a bilingual service.The protestors are holding a rally to support Osian Jones who's facing imprisonment after he campaigned about the lack of Welsh language services provided by major highstreet stores in north Wales.

Addressing the protest, Chair of the Welsh Language Society Menna Machreth will say:"Unfortunately, for Boots, there are no 'advantage' points for using Welsh. As a society, we have tried to persuade these companies to provide a bilingual service, but without success. These companies are ignoring public opinion. 76% of the public agree that bilingual marketing and signage is important and 81% believe that training staff to learn Welsh is as well.""Direct action is the last step in any campaign we run. Osian is following the example of many trades unions and other civil rights campaigns in Wales and beyond. His bold stand is an inspiration. The Government has missed a golden opportunity to secure rights for Welsh speakers in the private sector. We're disappointed that MPs have succeeded in weakening this new Welsh language legislation: they've put profits of multinational companies ahead of rights for ordinary people."None of the major high street stores targeted by Osian Jones will be asked to provide even the most basic of Welsh language services under a new law currently being debated in the Westminster Parliament.Campaigner Osian Jones will say:"All we want is for these big companies to let the Welsh language live. I campaigned against only one or two shops who offer only a superficial service at best. It's not good enough, the Government needs to act to secure rights for people in Wales to use the language in their everyday lives."Osian Jones from Dyffryn Nantlle is expected to go to prison for a month following a court case on 25th November at Caernarfon Magistrates Court.