A NEW branch of CND (Campaign for Nuclear Disarma ment) has been set up in East Lancashire to cover the constituncies of Ribble Valley, Pendle, Rossendale, Darwen, Blackburn, Burnley and Hyndburn.

A spokesperson for the newly-formed group said the establishment of an East Lancashire CND was timely to give an opportunity to lobby local MPs and raise public awareness before the crucial vote on the UK's replacement for the Trident missile system.

Parliament will vote on whether to replace Trident before Easter, although the system will not actually become obsolete until 2024.

A CND spokesman for the branch added: "It is vital that there is a wider range of options on offer other than yes' or no' to Trident.

There is a simple and effective case to be made for delay - why should we be rushed into a premature commitment to Trident which will mean that this country's defence will be based on nuclear weapons until 2050, if there is a yes' vote.

"CND position is to oppose the premature decision to extend Trident's £70 billion life. Nuclear weapons are a system from a past age of the Cold War. Our main security threats are now terrorism and global warming."

As well as putting across its own views against Trident, CND hopes to assist in arranging a series of events in the New Year, including a public debate, to allow all sides of the argument to be aired.