MPs and church leaders from North Yorkshire today backed the military action against Afghanistan.

They spoke of their hopes for a speedy end to the conflict and for minimal civilian casualties.

They also told how their thoughts and prayers were with British servicemen involved in the war, and with their families.

The Lord Mayor of York, Councillor Irene Waudby, said: "After the horrifying events of September 11 it has obviously been a very worrying time for everyone. My thoughts and prayers particularly go out to any British troops involved in this action. I am sure we all hope this situation can be resolved as quickly as possible and that the lives of innocent civilians can be spared."

John Greenway, the Conservative MP for Ryedale, said the action was wholly justified.

"What the Prime Minister said in Parliament was clear - if the Taliban did not hand over bin Laden, there would be military action," he said.

"The Taliban have had their chance to facilitate the location and arrest of this man, but they have harboured the terrorists and have now become a target - they have only themselves to blame.

"Anybody in any doubt about the sense of these actions should appreciate that these terrorists are capable of far worse atrocities than those that have already taken place in America."

York MP Hugh Bayley said military action was necessary to stop terrorists carrying out further attacks, but the legal and diplomatic moves had to continue. "Civilian casualties must be kept to a minimum and every effort must be made to get as much aid through to the refugees as possible," he said.

Lawrie Quinn, Scarborough's Labour MP and secretary of the Saudi Arabian group in Parliament, said he fully backed the action. "My first thoughts are with the British servicemen who are out there and their families. This is not about Islam, this is about terrorism," he said.

Harrogate and Knaresborough's Liberal Democrat MP Phil Willis said: "The world this morning stands on a knife-edge.

"Since September 11, everybody has been holding their breath, hoping that President Bush would deliver a carefully-considered response that will cause little damage to the civilian population of Afghanistan.

"This military action must be about justice, not revenge." Selby Labour MP John Grogan said that with the imminent start of the Afghan winter, it was inevitable that military action had to start.

"I can only hope and pray that the result of this programme will be successful. I'm pleased that the Prime Minister has put such emphasis on the plans for humanitarian aid for Afghanistan.

"This must be the first time in history that a coalition fighting a campaign with such military vigour is placing equal vigour on the aid effort.

"In an area with a long military tradition like North Yorkshire, many families with connections in the armed forces will be holding their breath, and like them, I can only hope for a speedy end to this conflict."

Vale of York MP Anne McIntosh said: "It is a serious point of time. My thoughts are with the troops and servicemen. The Taliban have had every opportunity to bow to the US and its allies but have refused to do so.

"We have to fight terrorism fearlessly."

The Archbishop of York, Dr David Hope, conceded that hostilities against Afghanistan had become inevitable. He said recently in an exclusive article for the Evening Press that war must be a last resort in the wake of the New York terrorist atrocities.

A spokesman for the Archbishop said today he had been impressed that every consideration had been given before the decision had been taken to begin hostilities.

He said Dr Hope would like to pay tribute to the diplomatic initiative that had been under way since September 11.

"Dr Hope urges everyone to pray earnestly for the swift and effective resolution of the current situation."

Updated: 15:00 Monday, October 08, 2001