THE protest against military action in Iraq has been gathering pace across Warrington this week with demonstrations likely to grow in size as decision day looms.

Another peace vigil was held at Market Gate in the town centre on Saturday and more are planned until such time as war is averted - with plans in place for a special protest should war be declared.

Although smaller in size than the demonstration in London, the national trend of protest and opposition to the UK Government becoming involved in a war without global backing has been reflected in the town.

David Slater, from the Warrington Stop the War coalition, joined Saturday's march through London with a contingent of 15 others from Warrington.

He has helped to organise the vigils in Warrington, which saw increased numbers protesting on Saturday, but went down to London at the weekend.

He said: "It was a wonderful occasion - tremendous.

"It took us four hours to get from the embankment to Hyde Park, which is a long time considering it is only about three-and-a-half miles.

"We listened to the speeches made by Ken Livingstone, the Rev Jessie Jackson and Bianca Jagger.

"We will be continuing with the peace vigils every Saturday now."

In last week's Guardian, Warrington MPs Helen Jones and Helen Southworth both stated that they are behind Prime Minister Tony Blair in his plans to work with the United Nations.

But Mr Slater still hopes that the protest march will be able to sway political opinion.

"It will have to have some effect on the Government just by the sheer numbers involved," he said.

"We are aiming to send a petition against the war away by the beginning of March. We will continue the vigils even if the war starts and we have arrangements to hold another one on the day war is called."