AN MP today broke ranks with the widespread support for moves to de-criminalise cannabis and branded them a mistake.

The Tory vice-chairman and Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans bucked a trend welcoming Home Secretary David Blunkett plan's to reduce cannabis from a class B drug to class C.

That would open the way to medicinal use and making its possession no longer a reason for arrest by police.

The move, announced on Tuesday, was given a warm reception by Lancashire Police and drug-users' support groups alike.

Pendle MP Gordon Prentice, a long-time campaigner for the decriminalisation of cannabis, said it would "make a huge difference to the sufferers of many diseases."

And today Hyndburn MP Greg Pope and Liberal Democrat MEP Chris Davies were the latest names to back the plan.

But Nigel Evans, who has clashed with Mr Prentice over their views on cannabis in the past, said the move was a mistake.

He said: "I think this will lead more young people to experiment with drugs. It cuts the ground from under the feet of those trying to tackle problems."

His views were opposed by Keith Owen, manager at Lifeline -- an East Lancashire Healthy Authority-run support group for under 18s drug-users in Blackburn.

Mr Owen said: "As far as I'm concerned there is a clear difference between the use of cannabis and the use of problematic drugs like heroin or crack-cocaine.

Greg Pope, said: "This is not legalising or decriminalising cannabis. It's sensible adjustment of the drug laws, and is widely welcomed.

"In the past too much police time has been wasted on pursuing people for possession of a small amount drugs. This will stop that."

And Chris Davies, who in 1995 fought and won the Littleborough & Saddleworth parliamentary by-election after a campaign during which Tony Blair branded him 'soft on drugs', added: "I have spoken out repeatedly to condemn Britain's ludicrous drug laws because they have led to thousands of people being criminalised although they have done no harm to anyone else."