FROM Greenham Common to Iraq -- peaceful protest runs in Daniel Seager's family. His mother Jean protested against nuclear warheads in the early 1980s and took him with her.

And Daniel, known as Dieter, and his mother were joined by his nephew Steven on a protest march against the Government in the early 1990s. Now Daniel is campaigning for peace while Steven is preparing for war.

RICHARD NEWTON looks at how a family united in protest became one divided by the threat of war...

IT was 1982 when young Daniel Dieter Seager accompanied his mother to Greenham Common, Berkshire, the American base in Britain which became the centre of anti-nuclear protests.

Jean joined hundreds of other women against the siting of Cruise missiles on British soil. No boy over the age of 12 was allowed in the camp so the seven-year-old had to stay outside.

It would be an experience that would lead him on a path to Iraq to take part in Operation Human Shield, a peaceful movement that could see him endanger his life to protect the people and country of Iraq against the same Allied forces that his nephew Steven Dixon is part of.

Dieter is staying at the Al Saraya Hotel, in Amman, the capital of Jordan. He flew out with 50 other British protesters to swell the growing ranks of those from this country and from around the world that have decided to put their lives on the line.

Dieter, a former pupil at Rhyddings High School, Accrington, is setting up internet connections for local people and the Iraqi and Jordanian Peace Corp.

He said: "As I've worked in this sort of thing I'm just using the skills I have. I haven't been into Iraq yet, but I could be going in to take supplies to the other protesters in the country. There are also plans to take supplies to a refugee camp on the Syrian and Iraqi border. I don't know where I'll be.

"All the Iraqis and Jordanians are lovely and have welcomed us, the only thing that is strange is that it has snowed for the last few days."

While uncle Dieter flew out to the Middle East from Heathrow his nephew Steven arrived in the region by another route.

Steven joined the army after he left Moorhead High School, Accrington, at the age of 16. He has accumulated six years in the Royal Artillery where he has become a Gunner Commando. He was stationed in Germany until his regiment flew out to Kuwait.

Although Steven is preparing for military action he accompanied his gran and his uncle on a protest against the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act of 1994 in Manchester in his early teens. Although he doesn't agree with what Dieter is doing, they have remained close and tried to stay in contact.

Steven's brother Andrew, 19, lives with Jean, he said the war had split the family.

"My gran and my uncle don't think it should go ahead but I think Saddam needs sorting out."

He said his mum Shirleen died when he was around one and he does not know for sure what his dad Richard, who lives in Huncoat, feels about it the differences within the family.

The Rev Kevin Logan, of Christ Church, Accrington, said the split over war must be painful for the family.

"The church is split over the issue of war, " he said, "but to have that split in the sitting room so to speak must be agonising and very painful for the family."

But a former work colleague of Dieter at Clayton Brook National Autistic Society in Atlas Street is not surprised by his plans. "He was that sort of guy and he was always interested in that sort of thing even though he was very laid back," said Gail Carole.

Graham Jones, local councillor for Peel Ward, said: "Daniel is making a peaceful protest and that should be applauded, but I worry for his family and friends."

Parvaiz Awen, spokesman for the Blackburn with Darwen Stop the War Coalition, said: "It just goes to show the extent of public opinion that they are prepared to sacrifice their lives so that the American and British don't attack Iraq.