A GROUP of residents from two York villages made their views on the war in Iraq known when they joined forces for a peace vigil.

The event, organised by Churches Together in New Earswick and Huntington, took place at New Earswick Green yesterday.

Members of the New Earswick Quaker group and other churches in the area demonstrated with placards reading Not In Our Name and Put Aside Weapons Of Death.

Drivers travelling along Hawthorn Terrace and passing the protesters sounded their horns in support.

Susan Hartshorne, chairwoman of New Earswick and Huntington Churches Together, said: "As far as this particular war is concerned we are sure and united with other churches that there should be better ways of dealing with the conflict than by using violent force."

o An anti-war march was due to start from York's Museum Gardens at noon today.