Most of them are vehemently against war with Iraq and only half would fight for their country.

Students at Sedgefield Community College - in Tony Blair's constituency - tell Lindsay Jennings about their fears and hopes as a possible conflict with Iraq looms closer.

THEY have never known war and cannot imagine living through conflict on rationed food, without electricity or without their televisions and computers.

But do not believe that the nine students sitting around the table at Sedgefield Community College are not informed when it comes to their feelings on a war with Iraq.

Joanne McHale, 15, lives a stone's throw away from the Prime Minister's constituency home and feels little loyalty towards her local MP at the moment.

"Tony Blair is like George Bush's "yes" man," she said.

"War with Iraq will just mean more innocent people get killed."

The teenagers have lived through spin and scandal with governments, and are angry that Mr Blair has not listened to the public demonstrations and a back-bench revolt over war.

Joanne says he should listen to the people.

Kimberly Runciman, 16, says she feels sorry for the PM.

"I don't think anyone in this room can say they're not frightened about what can happen about nuclear bombs but he's in a position where he has to make decisions. Whether or not those choices or decisions are made, I think war is inevitable," she said.

The ages around the table range from 14 to 16, which means they were between three and five when Britain last tackled Saddam Hussein. None can remember the Gulf War, but post-September 11 are fearful of any reprisal attacks on Britain a war with Iraq could trigger.

"It's just going to cause more terrorist attacks - and they're probably going to bomb London and here (Sedgefield), because this is where the Prime Minister's constituency is," said Liam Bell.

They talk astutely of the war being all about oil, of their distrust for politicians ("We don't know what the truth is," said Steven Bagshaw) and that if Saddam is toppled, a new and equally ugly enemy will pop up, if not in his place, then in some other peace-threatened part of the world.

They admit they would not know how to cope with war, compared with their great-grandparents, who endured black-outs, rationing and make do and mend. They contemplate living without electricity, technology and the ability to communicate.

"We're used to more comforts now than back then. Times were hard then," said Joanne.

"We're always eating - I can't imagine being allowed just one slice of bacon a day."

"I don't think any of our generation are going to know what it will feel like because we've never experienced anything like it," added William Round.

But would they fight for their country if Tony Blair asked them to? The group is split. Joanne, and Christine Davison, say they would not want to kill innocent people and Carly Parsons believes an "eye for an eye" doesn't solve anything.

But Liam would, because his relatives fought for their King and country. It is a question of honour. Philip Bradshaw would too, if it was for the right reasons. Steven says he would shoot Bin Laden, but admits to being scared at the thought of a bloody battlefield. Kimberly is fearful for her family in case her father and older brother would be called up.

"There's never going to be peace in the world, there's always going to be something else that will happen," said Carly.

As they contemplate the wars fought in the past, Philip sums up the changes.

"If we had a war now, it will not be who fights the best, it will be who can push a button the fastest.

"If Saddam Hussein or Osama Bin Laden die, there'll be more people - and they'll just be the same."