FAMILIES of those killed in the campaign to topple Saddam last night welcomed the announcement that Britain is to officially salute its war heroes with a thanksgiving service.

But North-East mother Julie Maddison, whose son Christopher died during an ambush in the Gulf, called for the service to remember all those killed in the conflict - including innocent Iraqis.

It was clear last night that the emphasis would be on a sensitive approach to the occasion, avoiding the triumphalism of the victory parade that followed the Falklands War.

Tony Blair, members of the Royal family and military top brass are expected to lead tributes to the men and women who served in the war.

Downing Street officials confirmed last night that planning for a service to mark the end of the war was under way. It is expected to be held in London this autumn.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is looking at two venues, either St Paul's Cathedral or Westminster Abbey.

Mr Blair has asked the MoD to take charge of arrangements because the "decision should be taken by the military, for the military", said his official spokesman.

Among the invited guests are likely to be relatives of those servicemen who died, including Captain Philip Guy and Royal Marine Christopher Maddison.

Captain Guy, 29, who had recently moved from Leyburn to Skipton in the Yorkshire Dales, was among eight Royal Marines killed when a US Sea Knight helicopter crashed in the Kuwaiti desert on March 21. He was due to fly home for the birth of his second child.

Christopher Maddison, 24, who grew up in Guisborough, east Cleveland, but lived in Scarborough, died in action during an ambush at a crossing point on the River Zubayr in southern Iraq and was laid to rest at a full military funeral nearly four weeks ago.

Last night, Christopher's mother gave the proposal her wholehearted support. "Our boys and girls out there have been wonderfully brave and I feel very much that they should have something done in their honour," said hotelier Mrs Maddison, from Scarborough.

However, she insisted that any such service should also honour the innocent Iraqis who were killed.

"I lost a son out there and anything that can be done to remember those who lost their lives can only be for the good," she said. "I would very much like to go down there and take part.

"I think we should also pray for the Iraqis at such a service as well. It wasn't just British people. Innocent Iraqis lost their lives as well and they should also be honoured.

"There are people who take a religious point of view and say 'thou shalt not kill' but you just have to look at Saddam Hussein and see what he has been doing.

"It's comfortable to stand behind the Bible but sometimes things have to be done and this was such an occasion."

Yesterday Mr Blair's spokesman ruled out a military parade like that held after the Falklands War.