BOLTON'S MPs and Muslim leaders have urged people in the town to remain calm following the military strikes on Afghanistan.

Their pleas follow the repeated air attacks on the country in the aftermath of the atrocities committed on September 11.

The Bolton Evening News took to the streets to discover the opinions of the town's shoppers and residents.

Many people were uneasy about the Sunday night strikes.

Others believed there was little in the way of an alternative.

James Battey, aged 82, from Kearsley, said: "Anything could happen now and I wasn't too keen on seeing military strikes. Negotiation would have been better."

Julie Miller, aged 47, an administrator from Bury, said: "I suppose something had to be done but I am glad Bush displayed patience because it shows it wasn't a knee-jerk reaction."

Joseph Kaicalo, aged 39, unemployed, from Bolton, said: "The Taliban should have given up Bin Laden. I do hope this is resolved quickly."

Abu Patel, aged 22, a shop worker from Astley Bridge, said: "People in the Muslim community just want peace. I was a bit shocked to hear of the bombings. Perhaps negotiation would have been better."

Kate Partington, aged 30, a civil servant from Smithills, said: "We had little choice. There had been negotiations but nothing seemed to come from them. Hopefully no civilians will be killed."

Poppy Smith, aged 27, a Bolton Institute student, from Johnson Fold, said: "We should not be bombing but trying to find a proper resolution."

Mohammed Omer, aged 61, of Morris Green, said: "Perhaps America should have taken a look at its foreign policy in the Middle East and questioned why there was terrorism on its soil on September 11."

Hussein Seroor, aged 40, a student at Bolton Institute from The Haulgh, said: "I would have preferred to see greater negotiation. Time will tell if bombing is the answer but I think peaceful means would have been better."

Sud Merai, aged 54, an accountant from Great Lever, said: "The UN should have been consulted. The United States were badly hit by terrorists but their response is terrorism too."

Asim Iqbal, aged 20, unemployed, from Daubhill, said: "More discussion should have taken place to avoid more innocent people from being killed." BOLTON'S MPs and Muslim leaders have urged people in the town to remain calm following the military strikes on Afghanistan. Their pleas follow the repeated air attacks on the country in the aftermath of the atrocities committed on September 11.

The Bolton Evening News conducted our own survey to discover the opinions of the town's shoppers and residents.

Many people were uneasy about the Sunday night strikes. Others believed there was little in the way of an alternative.

James Battey, aged 82, from Kearsley, said: "Anything could happen now and I wasn't too keen on seeing military strikes. Negotiation would have been better."

Julie Miller, aged 47, an administrator from Bury, said: "I suppose something had to be done but I am glad Bush displayed patience because it shows it wasn't a knee-jerk reaction."

Joseph Kaicalo, aged 39, unemployed, from Bolton, said: "The Taliban should have given up bin Laden. I do hope this is resolved quickly."

Abu Patel, aged 22, a shop worker from Astley Bridge, said: "People in the Muslim community just want peace. I was shocked to hear of the bombings. Perhaps negotiation would have been better."

Kate Partington, aged 30, a civil servant from Smithills, said: "We had little choice. There had been negotiations but nothing seemed to come from them. Hopefully no civilians will be killed."

Poppy Smith, aged 27, a Bolton Institute student, from Johnson Fold, said: "We should not be bombing but trying to find a proper resolution."

Mohammed Omer, aged 61, of Morris Green, said: "Perhaps America should have taken a look at its foreign policy in the Middle East and questioned why there was terrorism on its soil on September 11."

Hussein Seroor, aged 40, a student at Bolton Institute from The Haulgh, said: "I would have preferred to see greater negotiation. Time will tell if bombing is the answer but I think peaceful means would have been better."

Sud Merai, aged 54, an accountant from Great Lever, said: "The UN should have been consulted. The United States were badly hit by terrorists but their response is terrorism too."

Asim Iqbal, aged 20, unemployed, from Daubhill, said: "More discussion should have taken place to avoid more innocent people from being killed."