THE families of soldiers killed in Iraq will have their say at a government inquiry today.

The meeting in Manchester is one of a series being held across the UK, as the government seeks out the views of those affected by the long-running conflict.

Around nine families from Tyne and Wear, Lancashire, North Wales, Yorkshire, Staffordshire and Stockport, are expected to attend.

The Iraq Inquiry, which started work at the end of July, will examine the period from 2001 to the end of July 2009.

It will consider the UK's involvement in Iraq, how decisions were made and will identify lessons that can be learned.

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair is expected to give evidence to the inquiry at a later date.

The grieving mother of a woman killed by an improvised explosive device is expected to attend todays meeting.

Staff Sergeant Sharron Elliott, 34, of the Intelligence Corps, was killed alongside three others when their patrol boat was blown up in Basra on November 12 2006.

Her mother Elsie Manning, 65, of South Shields, Tyne and Wear, has called for the inquiry to be held in public and intends to put questions to chairman Sir John Chilcot.

She said: "Who is going to take responsibility for those kids being killed on that boat?

"Someone is responsible, someone is accountable, and we need to know.

"I know it is not going to bring them back, but at the end of the day, we have a right to know."

Further meetings will be held in Edinburgh on October 21, in Bristol on October 23 and in Belfast on October 28.

The inquiry is being held at the City Inn hotel on Piccadilly, Manchester, from 10.30am.