ANTI-war protesters who fear military action could spread from Afghanistan to other countries have appealed to Swindon people to support them.

Almost 50 people attended a Stop the War public meeting at the town's Broadgreen Centre, with the aim of engaging local people in the campaign against war. The meeting was organised by Swindon Socialist Alliance, Swindon Green Party and Swindon Trades Union Council.

Andy Newman, spokesman for Swindon Socialist Alliance, said: "The war is preventing famine relief getting through to millions of people in the countryside, yet unbelievably, some members of the US government are now arguing to extend the war to Iraq and Somalia.

"We need a mass anti-war movement that will stop the war now." Several ideas were put forward, including a march through Old Town.

Secretary of Swindon Green Party, Bill Hughes, urged people to think about the war in a wider context. He said: "I believe we need political action."