FEELINGS were still running high on the streets of York as we checked public opinion over the war with news of dramatic progress being made in Baghdad.

Brian Lamb, 68, from Beverley, near Hull, said: "I am pro-war. I agree that the dictatorial regime that has been going on in Iraq for so long, should be brought to an end to protect other countries. Saddam has already invaded two other countries on his own whim. This must be stopped. Muslim countries are rising up against the UK and America, but only a while ago they were fighting each other."

Sylvia Boyne, 64, of York, said: "I suppose it is necessary to go in and get Saddam out, and to get the Iraqi people a country of their own. There have been some soldiers killed unnecessarily and that could have been avoided.

"It looks like half the Iraqi people are for Saddam and the other half are against him. He has been living in luxury while they have been living in poverty. I hope they can run their own country soon."

Nicholas Challoner, 39, from Edinburgh, said: "I am 100 per cent behind the war. I think with the regime that has been in place for the last two decades, it was time something was done about it. Unfortunately back in 1991 they did not manage to oust Saddam Hussein, so hopefully they will do it properly this time.

"I hope the Iraqis will be able to run their own democratic country. It looks like the Americans will probably occupy it for about six months, then hand it over."

Barbara Towers, 37, from Bishop Auckland, County Durham, said: "The war is a necessary evil. It is a hardship the Iraqi people have to bear, just as long as there is support for them after the war.

"They appear happier and are able to show their true feelings now. It has been such a brutal regime."

James Eden, 19, from Sunderland, said: "I am pro-war definitely, otherwise things would have just kept going. I think as we try to construct a new government it could be just as bad because there are a lot of vigilante groups who will come out of the woodwork and try to take over.

"We should get the Iraqi people their own government with the support of the UK and US, but at the moment they aren't getting the best deal."

Georgia Filitsopoulou, 27, from Leeds, said: "I am totally against the war. I think it is wrong. What I thought would happen in the beginning is happening. People who don't deserve to die are dying.

"The Iraqis didn't have a choice before and they don't have a choice now. We will see the consequences of this in the UK. It is so depressing. I have stopped watching the TV because it depresses me more and more everyday. I do not think there is any good coming out of it.

"We should support the British troops, though," she said.

Updated: 10:39 Thursday, April 10, 2003