HUNDREDS of North-East peace protestors took to the streets over the weekend to voice their opposition to war with Iraq.

In Sunderland, veteran Labour MP Tam Dalyell warned that the Prime Minister could find his position under attack from disaffected MPs if war was launched without a clear UN resolution and a vote in Parliament.

He said Mr Blair may face a leadership challenge at the party conference in October, adding: "Tony Blair could be in serious trouble if the war goes ahead.''

Mr Dalyell, Father of the House and a critic of many previous British military interventions, told a crowd of about 600 at Sunderland University: "Your demonstration is not in vain.

"It shows people around the world that neither Britain, nor the North-East is represented by one of your own MPs.

John Flanagan, of Sunderland, who went on the march through the city with his 12-year-old daughter, Katy, said: "The worst aspect of this war is that it is going against the UN. It seems it is just an American and British colonial adventure."

Meanwhile, more than 200 woman dressed in black surrounded a Newcastle landmark in a silent vigil for peace.

The event was held by Tyneside Women in Black at Grey's Monument, in the city centre, to mark International Women's Day.

A short silence was also held at the war memorial near St Thomas's Church, Haymarket, for victims of the First World War.

A spokeswoman for Tyneside Women in Black said: "This is the fourth time in March we have done this. The first time we had 40 women, on Saturday we had more than 200. In most wars 80 per cent of the casualties are women and children."