ANTI-WAR demonstrators protested outside Jack Straw's surgery yesterday and urged him not to send troops to Iraq.

Around 30 supporters of the Stop The War Coalition, including councillors and doctors, stood outside Bank Top Community Centre in Oakenhurst Road, Blackburn, armed with banners and a loudspeaker.

George Davis, chairman of the Blackburn with Darwen arm of the coalition, said: "There is no rationale for an attack on Iraq and the evidence of weapons of mass destruction has been refuted by politicians, experts and members of the Criminal Intelligence Authority."

Mr Straw, shook hands and invited a small number of protesters to discuss the matter during his surgery.