KEY figures in Bolton's religious communities are determined to ensure the outbreak of war in Iraq does not harm relations in the town.

During the 1991Gulf War there were reports of tensions between different ethnic groups connected to the conflict.

But 12 years on, leading community figures are keen to stress that the circumstances this time are very different - not least because this war has not until now enjoyed the same level of popular support as the 1991 conflict.

They are also at pains to point out that the issues at the heart of the war - whether Saddam Hussein's regime poses a threat to world peace and whether military intervention is right - are all about politics and nothing to do with religion or race.

Communities have been working closely to demonstrate their togetherness. Christians, Muslims and Hindus held a joint service after the September 11 attacks.

Canon Michael Williams, Vicar of Bolton Parish Church, and Moulana Rashid Ahmed Seth, imam of the Zacharia Mosque in Peace Street, Daubhill, even conducted joint assemblies at Smithills School earlier this month.

Bolton Interfaith Council is writing to all schools encouraging them to hold similar events and 'Faiths United in Crisis' posters are being distributed in libraries and shops in the town.

A spokesman for the Bolton Council of Mosques admitted concern that the war could create tensions but said he was optimistic it would not.

He said: "The anti-war march in London gave the Muslim community in Bolton a lot of confidence that this war has little support among the population as a whole." Canon Michael Williams, vicar of Bolton Parish Church and a leading member of the town's Interfaith Council, pointed out the need for calm.

He said: "The relationship between the various faiths in Bolton has been good over the years and we are very anxious to ensure that international events don't put a spanner in the works."

Uttanbhai Mistry, chairman of Bolton Hindu Forum, said: "Knowing this war has been coming hasn't shifted the relationship between communities in Bolton."

KEY figures in Bolton's religious communities are determined to ensure the outbreak of war in Iraq does not harm relations in the town.

During the 1991 Gulf War there were reports of tensions between different ethnic groups connected to the conflict.

But 12 years on, leading community figures are keen to stress that the circumstances this time are very different - not least because this war has not until now enjoyed the same level of popular support as the 1991 conflict.

They are also at pains to point out that the issues at the heart of the war - whether Saddam Hussein's regime poses a threat to world peace and whether military intervention is right - are all about politics and nothing to do with religion or race.

Communities have been working closely to demonstrate their togetherness. Christians, Muslims and Hindus held a joint service after the September 11 attacks.

Canon Michael Williams, Vicar of Bolton Parish Church, and Moulana Rashid Ahmed Seth, imam of the Zacharia Mosque in Peace Street, Daubhill, even conducted joint assemblies at Smithills School earlier this month.

Bolton Interfaith Council is writing to all schools encouraging them to hold similar events and 'Faiths United in Crisis' posters are being distributed in libraries and shops in the town.

A spokesman for the Bolton Council of Mosques admitted concern that the war could create tensions but said he was optimistic it would not.

He said: "The anti-war march in London gave the Muslim community in Bolton a lot of confidence that this war has little support among the population as a whole." Canon Michael Williams, vicar of Bolton Parish Church and a leading member of the town's Interfaith Council, pointed out the need for calm.

He said: "The relationship between the various faiths in Bolton has been good over the years and we are very anxious to ensure that international events don't put a spanner in the works."

Uttambhai Mistry, chairman of Bolton Hindu Forum, said: "Knowing this war has been coming hasn't shifted the relationship between communities in Bolton."