As the Gulf War rages, members of the Royal British Legion in Swindon are ready to answer any calls for help that may come from serving military personnel or their families.

Swindon branch president Don Dedman said the Legion always received calls for assistance after times of conflict.

He said: "If the call is made we will be here ready to respond as always.

"It could be for anything, from someone getting wounded or injured to a family having financial or welfare problems.

"But whatever it may be, we are ready to respond."

Former Swindon ambulanceman Don, who is in his 70s, is also the branch welfare officer and last year he dealt with nearly 30 pleas for help.

He said he was in favour of the war and called on people to back the troops now fighting Saddam.

He said: "I was a bit surprised at the number of people in this country who are against the war.

"I was one of the first war evacuees from London to come to Swindon and I can still remember the horror of Hitler's bombing. Saddam is an evil man like him and must be removed."

Alan Baker organises the very successful Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal in Swindon.

He said: "We will help any casualties and their families like we always have done that is what the poppy appeal was launched for.

"I am not a warmonger but something has got to be done to stop Saddam killing his own people. I do not object to the peace protesters but I do feel that there is no other option that could have been taken.

"There has to be a time when the talking has to stop and action has to be taken, but I hope the conflict ends as soon as possible and there are few casualties."

Branch chairman Ken Jones said: "The weight of the British Legion is behind all the British servicemen and women serving in the Gulf.

"But I would stress we are here to help all service personnel and their families whether or not they are members of the Legion."

Mr Jones admits that initially he was against the war but is now wavering after hearing about how Saddam treats his own people.

"No-one likes war but Saddam is evil and regimes like his should not be allowed to exist," he said.

All requests for help have to be made in the first instance through Lt Col Peter Douglas, the Wiltshire County Field Officer, who can be contacted on (01980) 847752.

The Swindon branch of the Royal British Legion holds monthly meetings, usually on the first Monday of the month, at the Southbrook Inn, Southbrook Street.

Click HERE for our Iraq Crisis supplement, including local headlines, latest news, opinion poll and message board.