BURY North MP David Chaytor has challenged top US politicians over landmines.

He has written to President Bill Clinton and presidential hopefuls Al Gore and George W. Bush asking them to pledge support for the Ottawa-Anti-Landmine Treaty.

Now Mr Chaytor is urging his constituents to do the same.

He says there are millions of landmines scattered across 55 countries worldwide.

And every month 2,000 people are involved in landmine accidents. Around 800 vicitims will die from their injuries. The Ottawa Treaty, banning future use of mines and committing countries to clear up existing ones, was signed by 123 countries three years ago.

To date, 137 countries have signed up to the global landmine ban, including all European countries with the exception of Finland and all NATO countries except the USA and Turkey.

Mr Chaytor said: "It is shameful that America hasn't signed the Anti-Landmine Treaty when virtually all of its allies have.

"Landmines are still being made and used, leaving innocent people dead and maimed."

He added: "By not signing the treaty, the US is sending out a signal that anti-personnel mines are still acceptable weapons when the majority of the world's nations have already clearly indicated that they aren't.

"Landmines are a menace in peacetime, as well as during wars. They remain hidden in the ground for decades and remain a constant threat to innocent civilians long after wars are over."