Reservists across Wales are waiting to hear whether they are to be called into possible action against Iraq.

UK Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon has announced the call-up of reservists across the UK but the Labour MP for Newport West, Paul Flynn, has warned that there is little support among the public for the possible conflict.

Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon

A total of 1,500 reservists from across the UK will soon be told that they are to be called up.

Those from Wales - mainly medical and intelligence experts - will find out who they are when the letters arrive on their doormats.

Territorial Army (TA) members and other reservists come from all walks of life and are known as the 'weekend soldiers'.

They train on a part-time basis, normally at weekends, and attend an annual two-week camp.

Some of these part-time soldiers can expect to receive their call-up papers in the next few days as the West gears up for a possible war with Iraq.

Paul Flynn MP opposes conflict with Iraq

Medics were the first group of reserve soldiers to be called into action during the Gulf War in 1991 and defence experts have predicted the same thing is about to happen again.

But according to Mr Flynn, there is little support among Welsh voters for the feared conflict and he has called for the House of Commons to have a vote on the call-up issue.

He said: "Give us a chance of escaping from our present link as a junior partner with the United States in this axis of delusion."

The UK Government's call-up notices gives the employers of the TA service people time to prepare for their absence.

The salary of TA soldiers depends on their rank.

The scale begins at �25 per day for a private and goes up to �175 per day for a senior officer.

All members of the TA are given an annual payment of �1,250.

This is only guaranteed after soldiers have been with the TA for five years and have completed all necessary training.