Human shield campaigner off to Iraq

Nathan Chapman admits to being terrified

A Norfolk peace campaigner is off to Iraq to act as a human shield in the hope of helping to deter any attack.

Nathan Chapman, 20, of King's Lynn, believes he and fellow peace protestors could make a difference.

"I am terrified but I am going to go anyway because it's so important," he said.

" I know I could be killed, but hopefully with the schools and hospitals our presence could make a difference - it could act as a deterrent," he said.

Military build-up

Mr Chapman, who until recently worked in a children's home, is not a member of any political or campaigning organisation.

But he feels so strongly about the issue of any war against Iraq, he now runs a website opposing the military build-up.

Next week he will leave his home to travel to Iraq.

There, along with other westerners, he will work and sleep near civilian sites.

He said he knows that some may think him idealistic or foolish, but he believes that someone has to make a stand - whatever the risk.

The Government would not comment on Mr Chapman and his fellow peace protestors' plan but told BBC Look East that for some time it has been advising Britons not to visit Iraq.

Because there is no embassy there, help would not be available if they ran into problems.