EAST Lancashire Labour MPs Peter Pike and Gordon Prentice have warned Tony Blair against backing US President George Bush on his National Missile Defence Shield.

The two backbenchers are alarmed at his plan to rip up existing anti-nuclear weapon treaties.

So far Prime Minister Mr Blair and his government have refused to condemn the plan. But now Pendle's Mr Prentice and Burnley's Mr Pike have joined 173 MPs urging opposition to the US plan. They are among dozens of Labour backbenchers to sign the Commons motion which expresses concern at the US proposal, and warns it could start a new nuclear arms race.