ANTI-war protesters have been asked to gather at the war memorial in Nelson at 5pm on the day that an attack is made on Afghanistan.

The call has come from an anti-war coalition formed in Pendle following a public meeting of various groups this week.

They have also called on anyone opposed to war to join them.

More than 50 people attended the meeting at Nelson library. Speakers included Mohammed Arif of Burnley Socialist Alliance, Abdul Khader, an Afghanistan refugee and Richard MacSween, secretary of Pendle Socialist Alliance.

They expressed sympathy for those died in the attacks in America but said the causes needed to be understood.

American foreign policy had led to that country being hatred in many areas of the world and bombing of Afghanistan would make the US even more hated.

Mr Arif called on people to work closely together to oppose military action by the USA and its allies. Meetings like the one in Nelson were happening throughout the world and building a mass anti-war movement was critical.

Mr MacSween said: "Not only are innocent people going to get killed in Afghanistan, in the UK far-right groups are already stirring up racism against Muslims. Mosques have been attacked and any war abroad will be used by racists at home."

In a statement prepared after the meeting the coalition said: "We call on the trade union movement, socialists, community groups and all minorities who are for justice and against war and racism to work together to demand no to the war and no to racists attacks."