CONTROVERSIAL leader of anti-war coalition Respect George Galloway MP stopped off for an impromptu tour of Cheetham Hill during his recent visit to the region.

Some 165 people attended the North Manchester Against Wars rally at Saffron, including Mr Galloway, representatives of CND and international peace movements.

The speakers addressed a range of issues - focusing on the invasion of Iraq and the war in Afghanistan - while there were delegates from many solidarity campaigns in the audience - including Palestine and Libya.

In December, GP Dr Kay Phillips was unanimously elected to stand for Respect in the Cheetham ward during May's local elections. The party, which recently split into two factions due to disputes over internal democracy, is also fielding candidates in Atherton and Moss Side.

North Manchester Against Wars is holding a 'World Against War' rally on 1st March at Friends Meeting House on Mount Street, Manchester - start 2.30pm. It is also sending protesters to the London peace demo on 15 March, marking the fifth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq.