LABOUR Party election co-ordinator Alan Milburn has said leading Britain into war with Iraq was the most difficult decision he has ever taken.

Labour's parliamentary candidate for Darlington made the comments to an audience of more than 150 people at the first public debate in the town since the General Election race started two weeks ago.

Darlington's five election candidates were at Carmel RC Technology College to debate a document produced by the Churches Together group, which challenged issues of morality.

When asked by a member of the audience what he had learned from the war in Iraq, former health secretary Mr Milburn said: "I have learnt difficult decisions have to be seen through.

"I sat in the Cabinet and I have to tell you that it was the most difficult decision I have ever had to make politically and probably the most difficult decision I have had to make in my life."

The two-hour long debate in the school hall was good humoured.

Candidates were quizzed on the war in Iraq, the environment, Europe, civil liberties and how they would represent Darlington if elected.

Reverend John Elliston said: "No-one knows what the future will bring that is why we need to make sure our candidates can be trusted."

David Davies, of Veritas, said he had chosen to stand for election in Darlington because he had made the town his home. "I actually love this place and I want to do the best for it."

UK Independence Party candidate John Hoodless said: "I thought Blair would change things, but he hasn't. I thought Labour would change things, but nothing has changed."

He said he would like buses to be de-privatised and the working class paid a decent wage.

All candidates said they recycled rubbish to help the environment.

Canon Geoff Miller, chairing the meeting, joked: "Ladies and gentleman, you have before you Darlington's five biggest recycling and cycling people."

On the issue of building on greenbelt, Conservative Anthony Frieze received loud applause when he said: "I am not going to listen any more to this Government saying they are a friend of the greenbelt. This is a policy I absolutely revile and will withdraw."

When asked whether he would represent the views of people in Darlington, Liberal Democrat candidate Robert Adamson said: "I will be your representative not your delegate. Vote for the person and not the party." He said he would rather the Government spent money on more police than identity cards.

Mr Davies, whose party wants to see Britain withdraw from the EU, said: "I am not anti-European, I am anti-EU institutions."

He pleaded with the audience to vote: "If you know somebody who is apathetic and doesn't want to vote, persuade them to vote, it is the most important thing we do. Vote, please vote, preferably for me, but please just vote."