AN ACCRINGTON man is preparing to put his life at risk by travelling to Iraq for an anti-war protest.

Daniel Seager - known as Dieter - has signed up to take part in Operation Human Shield in a bid to stop the bombing of Baghdad.

The 28-year-old, who lives in Washington Street, will join a convoy of volunteers from around the world travelling to the Iraqi capital.

They hope that the presence of Westerners standing alongside the Iraqi people will deter the British and Americans from taking military action against Saddam Hussein's regime.

Dieter, who used to be a care worker for the National Autistic Society, said he did not know exactly when he would be going, but he felt he had to take action.

The former Rhyddings High School pupil, who is currently unemployed, got involved with Operation Human Shield after seeing a television programme about it, and he has already started packing for the trip.

He said: "I just thought that enough was enough and decided to do something to make a difference. We are trying to draw people's attention to the plight of people in Iraq, and say that this is a war that should not be fought.

"The plan is to go over there, but if it comes down to it I am happy to offer technical support instead. As long as I can do something that is all that matters. It takes a number of days to get to Iraq by bus but if I have to I am quite happy to use my own money and fly there.''

He added that his mother, Jean, who lives in Fern Gore, had been very supportive.

He said: "I spent quite a lot of my youth on the campaign trail for various causes and my mother was heavily involved with CND and Greenpeace, so I've just carried it on. She is very positive about the fact that I am trying to do something but, of course, she is worried too.

"A few of my friends have told me I'm a complete idiot because of the risks involved and because they don't particularly see my version of things, but each to his own. I am a little apprehensive myself but I think it is worth the risk. I am trying to protect innocent lives - that is what it comes down to.

"It is not the politics I am interested in, it is the fact that innocent people are going to be injured and killed for the crime of just being in Iraq, which is unbelievable."

Operation Human Shield is organised by former US Marine and Gulf War veteran Ken Nicholas O'Keefe.