THE Bishop of Bolton has issued a strong warning that military action against Iraq could "open a Pandora's box of unimaginable horror".

The Right Reverend David Gillett, writing in the Manchester diocese magazine Crux, acknowledges that in some situations war can be the lesser of two evils.

But he suggests it should be an absolute last resort and warns of dire consequences if Britain supports a US-led attack without clear United Nations backing. The Rev Gillett says it would create problems far more serious than those it is meant to address.

He said: "Over the past decade we are seeing a philosophy emerging in our world that too quickly seeks to solve problems through massive military strikes.

"And the prospect of pre-emptive strikes against Iraq without clear international moral backing is likely to open a Pandora's box of unimaginable horror in the Middle East and elsewhere.

"In Greater Manchester we are particularly conscious of addressing the issue of Iraq among many of our neighbours who are Muslims.

"There is a fearful danger that the Islamic world will see western military action as a re-awakening of the worst spirit of the Christian crusader."

The Rev Gillett says Christians have a responsibility to reflect on the moral issues which any war will raise.

He said: "Often I come to a different conclusion from that reached by the American President.

"As Christians our prayers must continue, our voice must be heard and we must not leave all the action to others."

The Rev Gillett, who was appointed in 1999, has previously spoken out about the need to promote harmony between the town's different ethnic groups, and about institutional racism in the Church of England. He claimed the Church had sometimes been guilty of being unwelcoming to black and Asian worshippers and clergy.