AN ALTERNATIVE anti-war message is being sent to U.S. President George Bush by staff and elderly customers at a women's hair salon in York.

While browsing the internet, salon owner Jacqui Reilly spotted a range of T-shirts that states Smoke Bush Not Iraq.

She bought one, wore it to work, and now all Jacqui's staff and several of her customers are wearing them.

Jacqui, who runs Jacqui Hair Fashions, in Acaster Lane, Bishopthorpe, said: "We are against the war in here. We talk about all sorts, usually avoiding politics and religion, but we feel very strongly about this. Too many people are going to be hurt if they go ahead with this war.

"We think people should be making love not war, especially at our age."

Asked about the unusual message the shirts carry, Jacqui said: "We don't know anything about that, we are innocent in here, a bit nave. All we are bothered about is that the message is anti-war and that is how we feel."

Customer Doreen Leech said: "Saddam is not a great threat, no more than other countries. They are wasting their time and putting lives at risk."

Peggy Hartwell said: "I have already taken part in one war. My husband suffered as a Japanese POW, so I have had enough of war, thank you very much."

The T-shirts can be bought from www.smokebush.co.uk. One pound from every shirt sold is donated to charities supporting UK and U.S. Gulf War veterans.

Updated: 10:23 Friday, February 28, 2003