'Marbles will not go back to Athens'

The Elgin Marbles will not be returning to Greece, according to government sources.

The news comes on the day Tony Blair will be challenged to pledge his support for discussions aimed at returning the Marbles.

A new campaign "Marbles Reunited" will this afternoon hold a conference to reveal its manifesto for the return of the long-disputed sculptures to Athens.

But well-placed government sources said there is currently no question of the Marbles' return. One source described the idea as "laughable".

The news will be a disappointment for Marbles Reunited, which insists it is a wholly British campaign. However campaign director Peter Chegwyn admitted that a public relations company engaged by the Greek government is helping Marbles Reunited.

The Greek Ambassador is due to join supporters including former foreign secretary Robin Cook and athlete Tessa Sanderson at today's conference.

Among the campaign's demands are "a pledge from Tony Blair and the British Government to open discussions with their Greek government counterparts".

The campaign has commissioned a series of polls showing strong British support for the return of the Marbles.