More than 60 per cent of Harpenden residents have no idea that a genetically modified crop trial is taking place in the area, according to a survey completed this weekend.

Local Food Alliance spoke to 120 shoppers in Harpenden High Street on Sunday to find out how much people understood about the genetically modified wheat trial, that is due to begin at Rothamsted Research later this month.

The survey found that 64 per cent of people interviewed were not aware that the crop was due to be planted, and 48 per cent felt that they should have been consulted about the plans.

Scientists will conduct a controlled experiment that will use modern genetic engineering to test whether wheat that can repel attacks from aphids, small flies that suck sap from plants causing damage and spreading disease.

One Harpenden resident, Louise Schlich, said that she was concerned that the new research may have a negative effect on her allotment.

She said: "I worry about contamination. I don’t want my choices taken away by this trial."

The survey also discovered that 67 per cent of residents would not choose to eat wheat that had been genetically modified.

Another resident, Guy Barnwell, was unaware of the trial.

He said: "I don’t want genetic modification that close - or anywhere for that matter."

Rothamsted Research, which is the longest-running agricultural research station in the world, aims to discover new practices to increase crop productivity and quality.

Since permission for the new trials was granted by the government run Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment in September, representatives from the research centre have been meeting with locals groups that they think could be affected by the trial.

Professor Maurice Moloney, director and chief executive at the station, said that he was pleased that a third of Harpenden residents know about the trial.

He said: "It goes to show the strength of knowledge that the Harpenden community have in science, which is considerably better than the national situation on science awareness.

"That said, Rothamsted Research will continue to do more on engaging with our local residents with regard to this wheat trial, to reach as many people as feasible.

"Rothamsted Research is very proud to be part of its local community and we hope the local community will continue to be part of us."

The station has set up a wheat trial website www.rothamsted.ac.uk/aphidwheat which has more information about the trial.