FOREIGN Secretary Jack Straw today stood firm over the bombing of Afghanistan after 500 anti-war demonstrators converged on Blackburn.

People from mosques, churches and colleges attended the demo in King William Street, to condemn terrorism and take part in a peaceful protest against bombing in Afghanistan. Marchers, who included a large number from Preston and Bolton, listened to speakers from the Muslim community, CND and the Lancashire Socialist Alliance.

Demonstrators, mostly from the Muslim community, carried placards, some from the Socialist Alliance stating "stop the bloody war", while others held home made ones with slogans: "Osama -- hero yesterday, villain today?" referring to the West's support for the terrorist in the Afghan war against Russia, "Innocent till proven guilty" and "Afghans need food not bombs".

But the Blackburn MP said: "We all want peace; none of us would have wished to be involved in conflict in Afghanistan. But sometimes there can be no peace unless it is fought for. I not only understand but share the concerns which the use of force evoke but the action is necessary and proportionate. It is military action with a purpose to make the world safer.

"By far the greater danger would lie in appeasement and leaving the threat of terrorism unchallenged. Of course, we cannot just take military action. we are therefore working with the UN to get humanitarian aid to the people of Afghanistan who have suffered for too long. and we are committed to providing long-term help to bring stability and peace to Afghanistan."

Dr Zakir Patel, who co-organised the demo, said: "Innocent civilians are being killed in Afghanistan and more will be killed before Osama bin Laden has been reached.

"We need to find the core of terrorism and we only need to look to Palestine to see things will carry on unless changes are made."

Demo co-organiser Mehboob Patel encouraged chants of "stop the war" and "no more killing", urging all to condemn terrorism.

Echoing this, speaker Allama M Musa Qasmi said "Islam means peace," but called Mr Straw, along with Tony Blair and George Bush to "end the killing of innocent Muslims in Afghanistan".

North West MEP Chris Davies has called for a halt to the allied bombing campaign until support for specific action from the UN has been secured and arrangements can be made for the supply of humanitarian aid.

A public meeting is planned for Thursday at Blackburn Town Hall at 2.30pm. Speakers will include Salim Habib, Preston Stop the War Coalition and Suresh Grover, chairman of the National Civil Rights Movement.