EAST LANCASHIRE MPs Greg Pope and Gordon Prentice are urging the Government to pardon shell-shocked World War One soldiers executed for desertion.

The two Labour backbenchers had intended to vote against the Government on the issue last week as the House of Commons debated the Armed Forces Bill.

However, the relevant clause was not discussed because of lack of time.

Now, Hyndburn MP Mr Pope and Pendle's Mr Prentice hope the House of Lords will insert a pardon in the legislation when it considers it.

And both men would support such a move on its return to the Commons.

A small number of Lancashire soldiers were shot for desertion or dereliction of duty at their posts in the 1914-18 conflict despite the fact they were suffering from what was later called "shell-shock" or "post-traumatic stress disorder".

Mr Pope said: "I informed the Government Whip I would vote against their instructions and for a pardon if it was debated in the Commons.

"I now hope that the Lords will act and will do so when it returns to the House of Commons.

"We are not talking about deserters but heroes who found the stress of the trenches too much. They are now suffering from what we call shell-shock or post-traumatic stress disorder. They needed help, not execution.

Mr Prentice said: "I want to see these men pardoned. They were not deserters but people suffering from what we would now call stress in appalling conditions.

"If the Lords put the clause in, I will vote with Greg to restore the reputations."