Prime Minister Tony Blair yesterday issued his clearest message yet that action must be taken against the "real and unique" threat posed to the world by Iraq.

Speaking to the world's media in his Sedgefield constituency, he promised to reveal a dossier of evidence "in the next few weeks" that he believes will convince the public of the need to take action against Saddam Hussein.

It would prove, he said, that Saddam was "without any question" still trying to develop Iraq's chemical, biological and potentially nuclear capability and any failure to deal with that threat would be "irresponsible".

Mr Blair was questioned for 90 minutes about Iraq in the assembly hall at Sedgefield Community College.

He was asked about The Northern Echo's recent poll which showed that 64 per cent of his constituents thought he would be wrong to support an attack on Iraq and only 17 per cent thought he would be right.

Mr Blair said: "The first question is one of principle. It is a fact that he is in breach of 23 out of 27 UN resolutions; that he is continuing in his efforts to develop biological, chemical and nuclear weapons; that we are dealing with a regime that routinely tortures and executes its political opponents - that probably was responsible for up to 100,000 Kurdish people dying in a brutal campaign.

"We have to face up to it, we have to deal with it - and we will. The issue, once you've answered that first question, is what is the best way of proceeding?"

However, polls continue to show a majority of British people are uncertain about an attack. John Burton, Mr Blair's constituency agent and important sounding-board said yesterday: "The feeling I get from people in the constituency is that they are aware there is a problem with Saddam Hussein - of course there is.

"He's got a history of trouble, but I think they would like a bit more proof now that the issue is as dangerous as George Bush says."

At his press conference, Mr Blair said to counter these doubts, he would bring forward the publication of his dossier.

He also refuted the notion that he was merely President Bush's poodle. The Prime Minister said: "The Americans in raising this issue are not wrong, they are right.

"The reason why our place is beside them in addressing this issue is not because of some misplaced allegiance or blind loyalty, it's because it's the right thing to do.

"And if September 11 teaches us anything, it teaches us the importance of not waiting for the threat to materialise, but when we can see the signs of that threat in front of us, dealing with it."

As well as the rhetoric of a Prime Minister, Mr Blair also revealed how the debate was affecting him personally.

Asked how he, as a Christian and a father of four, could countenance military action, he said: "You have to decide what the greatest risk is and what's the morally right thing to do. I hate war, as does anyone of any sense, but there are certain circumstances when it is the right thing to do."

Earlier, Mr Blair - who had flown to the North-East straight from the World Summit in Johannesburg - visited the Closed Circuit Television headquarters in Chilton, County Durham, and opened Sedgefield's new £8m community hospital.

He began the press conference with an address to the London-based media.

Mr Blair said: "There are a few stereotypes which people have about the North-East and I think that those of you who have driven around this constituency will see that those stereotypes are easily knocked down.

"There are real problems and challenges in the region, but you can see that with a combination of new technology and investment we are creating new facilities."