TONY Blair was urged last night to step back from war with Iraq - by voters in his own North-East constituency.

An exclusive poll conducted in Sedgefield by The Northern Echo revealed that 64.6 per cent believe the Prime Minister should not support a US-led bombing campaign to oust Saddam Hussein.

The overwhelming rejection of any British involvement in an attack on Saddam's regime came amid growing disquiet from Government backbenchers and the unions.

The Labour Against the War group, featuring many prominent figures from the left, such as veteran MP Tony Benn, announced yesterday that it would be holding an anti-war rally on the eve of next month's party conference in Blackpool.

Any anti-war motion at the conference is expected to be backed by leaders of some of the biggest unions, such as Bill Morris, of the Transport and General Workers Union, reports suggest.

The Northern Echo's poll surveyed 887 people in areas including Sedgefield, Newton Aycliffe, Ferryhill, the Trimdons, Hurworth and Heighington. Only 17.6 per cent said Tony Blair would be right to support the bombing of Iraq while 17.8 per cent were undecided.

Mr Blair has stated that no decisions have been made on military action, but has stressed that the threat posed by weapons of mass destruction which could be held by Iraq has to be addressed.

Last night, North Durham MP Kevan Jones, who is a member of the House of Commons Defence Select Committee, said The Northern Echo poll reflected the feelings of his own constituents.

"People are fearful about what we could be getting ourselves into and what might happen," he said.

"I have had quite a few letters from people raising this and it is an issue many are talking about.

"My personal view is that if Saddam has these weapons he cannot be left with them, but any pre-emptive military action needs to be thought through very carefully."

Fellow Labour MP Ashok Kumar said he was happy to support military action, provided that firm evidence of weapons of mass destruction was available and that parliament was recalled for a debate.

Mr Kumar said he was aware of the discontent among many of his Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituents.

He added: "I am not really surprised by The Northern Echo poll. The essential thing is to produce the evidence that is needed so that we can carry the public with us."

The feeling of many was summed up by pub landlord Neil Hetherington, who runs the Nags Head in Sedgefield.

He said: "Tony Blair seems to be like George Bush's puppet. We should only go to war if there is a genuine threat against us."

Senior defence and diplomatic figures within the Government are said to have advised strongly against an attack on Iraq, believing it will inflame conflicts in Afghanistan, Israel and Kashmir.

Mr Blair is currently away on holiday and his agent, John Burton, was unavailable for comment. But a spokesman for the Prime Minister said: "He is aware of different opinion on this issue.

"People, though, are getting too far ahead of themselves as we are not yet at the point where a decision needs to be made."