A VETERAN peace campaigner from Bolton has celebrated his 75th birthday - at a demonstration against Britain's presence in Iraq.

Malcolm Pittock, of Breightmet, first became involved with peace campaigns aged 11 and has protested against a series of wars and conflicts, such as those in Iraq, Afghanistan and Vietnam.

Mr Pittock, who served a six-month jail sentence in 1953 as a conscientious objector to military service, was presented with an inscribed plaque in recognition of the many years he has served groups such as the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and the Bolton Stop the War Coalition.

It was made at a small ceremony prior to a 100,000-strong march in London against Britain's continued involvement in Iraq. He said: "It was wonderful to be recognised by other campaigners. I think the world is as dangerous a place as it has ever been."