HYNDBURN residents have been invited to have their say on a military attack on Iraq.

A public meeting has been called by Hyndburn and Rossendale Trade Union Council to protest against the proposed strike.

Speakers will include Coun Michael Hindley, the former Member of the European Parliament for Lancashire South and county councillor for Rishton, Clayton-le-Moors and Altham.

A video examining the validity of the military action in Afghanistan, 'Not in my Name', will also be shown.

Peter Billington, Hyndburn and Rossendale TUC secretary, said: "As the local organisation of the Trades Union Congress we are opposed to a military attack on Iraq.

"No-one should forget that the government originally said that UK involvement in US military action was limited to action against those who carried out the attacks on September 11.

"Now we are being told that this limitation no longer applies and any nation which is seen as currently unacceptable to the US is a legitimate military target."

Hyndburn and Rossendale TUC supported the Campaign Against Repression and for Democratic Rights in Iraq for several years, he said.

"During this period the US and the UK supported and armed the military regime in Iraq because it suited their purposes.

"An attack on Iraq would result in the deaths of military personnel on all sides and many innocent civilians.

"The present government might find this acceptable but we are not prepared to stand by and watch it happen."

The meeting will take place at 7.30pm on Monday in the supper room at Accrington Town Hall.