THE decision to go to war with Iraq has split the community in East Lancashire just as it has across the rest of the UK and the international community.

The crux of the matter is whether the USA, UK and their allies were right to abandon diplomatic attempts to disarm Iraq.

Foremost among local people involved in making the decision to take up arms was Foreign Secretary and Blackburn MP Jack Straw.

His view summed up that of many who have tired of Saddam Hussein's chicanery.

He said: "Some say that Iraq can be disarmed without an ultimatum, without the threat or the use of force, but simply by more time and more inspections.

"That approach is defied by all our experience over 12 weary years. It cannot produce a disarmament of Iraq. It cannot rid the world of the danger of the Iraqi regime."

Conservative councillor in the Ribble Valley Chris Holtom agreed.

He said: "I would prefer it that there wasn't a war but Saddam Hussein had presided over a vile regime for well over 20 years and refused to disarm for the last 12.

"There comes a day when you have to say enough is enough."

The leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council Bill Taylor recognised it was a difficult decision to make but he ultimately said it was the right one.

He said: "We have to put our trust in the national and international decision makers, such as our MP Jack Straw, and hope that the conflict is as short and as bloodless as possible."