ANY mother whose child is in a country where war could break out any day would be worried.

Sue Kirby is no different. Her daughter Helen Williams and son-in-law Kevin, both 35 and from Malpas, Newport, are volunteer human shields in Iraq, protesting against the impending war. The pair travelled to Baghdad in a convoy of double-decker buses with 75 activists from around the globe.

They have vowed to stay until bombs start falling, although others are leaving. Nurse Mrs Kirby, 56, of Wavell Drive, Malpas, says: "I am extremely worried and frightened for them both, but at the same time very proud.

"Helen and Kevin are currently staying at a water treatment plant in Baghdad. "They're there because like a lot of people in this country they feel very strongly against a second Gulf war.

"They felt this was the best way for them to demonstrate their feelings and inspire others to do the same.

"They're no different from the million people that marched in London or the students that staged a walkout at colleges all over the country this week."

Helen and Kevin, both self-employed, have campaigned for animal rights and green issues, but Mrs Kirby maintains that going to Iraq is by far their most dangerous mission. She says: "They had discussed the possibility of going to Iraq since last autumn but when they heard they were leaving, it came with a week's notice. That was a hell of a week. They were scared then and I believe they are still scared now.

"They were recently in Basra where the no-fly zones are, where Americans have increased the bombings this week according the the news. It is very dangerous but they are out there standing with the people of Iraq."

Mrs Kirby has been in contact with her daughter, albeit intermittently, while she has been away and said that reports suggest the Iraqi people welcome the human shields.

"Helen says the Iraqis are very welcoming to them all, wonderful people. She visited a school and the children sang for her, they feel really appreciated.

"They're not in any way legitimising Saddam's regime by being out there, they're simply trying to force an alternative way of achieving the UN's aims.

"Whatever your views on the war, you have to admire their conviction."