SO FAR 1,500 reservists have been called up to fight in a possible war against Iraq.

But, although none was from the North-west, Bolton lawyer Keith Cartmell could well be among those people required to prepare for battle should there be fresh waves of call-ups.

He is a 45-year-old Lieutenant Commander for the Royal Navy Reserve, specialising in navigation and logistics.

When he joined in 1996, he understood that one day he may be called upon. And although he is a married father-of-two, he says the thought of being stationed close to the Iraqi border is not something he would shy from.

"I can't say that it would be something I would relish, but it is something that I would do with no arguments at all," he said.

"In the Navy we have a saying that if you want peace, you have to be prepared for war. Nobody ever wants that -- but if it happens, you know you have a job to do."

Mr Cartmell, a partner in Keoghs, based near the Reebok Stadium in Horwich, has had six years of training in the Royal Navy Reserve and attends weekly drill nights at HMS Eaglet in Liverpool. He is a specialist in employment law and he warns that the call-up of reservists could have a knock-on effect on businesses. He urges companies to put contingency plans in place.

Bosses cannot refuse to let their staff go since it is a compulsory mobilisation. They can, however, ask for the call-up to be deferred or revoked if the loss of the employee would damage their business.

The Ministry of Defence, which pays the wages of troops called up, has set up a phoneline for employers on 0800 389 5459.