An anti-war campaigner from Gloucestershire is threatening to become part of a human shield to stop attacks on Iraq.

Grace Trevett keeps a regular anti-Iraq war vigil in Stroud and has mounted protests as far afield as London and Washington.

But now she wants to join a peace pilgrimage to Baghdad.

And she says if war goes ahead she will become part of a human shield to try to stop attacks on civilians.

Firing line

Ms Trevett and her fellow campaigners say they are willing to put themselves in the firing line should US and British forces bomb Iraq.

They plan to identify potential bombing targets such as power stations and bridges and act as human shields to protect them.

Ms Trevett said: "The situation in Iraq has become so distressing for everybody.

"It is an insane situation and so many people oppose it. Over the past year we have discussed what we can do not to feel so powerless.

She added: "We are not talking about demonstrating at power plants, we are talking about people going into Iraq to support the innocent citizens there.

"We hope once we get there and gather enough people along the route it may have some effect to prevent attacks on Iraq."

Iraq has made clear the peace campaigners will be welcome.

The group is being led by ex-US marine and Gulf War veteran Ken Nichols O'Keefe, who says the action has nothing to do with supporting the Iraqi regime, but is an effort to stop the war.