AN anti-war group met in Bolton last night to voice concerns about military action in Afghanistan.

The newly-formed Bolton Stop The War Coalition, which includes members of the town's CND and Socialist groups, organised the meeting to discuss possible solutions for ending the military campaign against Afghanistan. More than 50 people, including trade unionists, members of political parties, religious groups and concerned people, attended the meeting at the Friends Meeting House in Silverwell Street.

Guest speakers included Norma Wilson, CND's regional development worker; American student Charlotte Blau, who is studying at Manchester University; and Green Party activist Graeme McIver.

Norma Wilson was keen to spread the message that CND was not anti-American, but anti-American government. She claimed the American bombing of Afghanistan had led to an unprecedented number of calls to the Manchester CND office and 40,000 people had signed an anti-war petition in just two weeks. Charlotte Blau spoke of her horror that friends at home had become patriotic and told Bolton people that not all Americans supported President Bush. 'Ground phase' for war - P4