CHORLEY MP Lindsay Hoyle is continuing the campaign for compensation for World War Two Japanese prisoners of war.

This follows reports that an announcement on the matter is to come in next week's pre-budget statement.

Mr Hoyle, together with the Royal British Legion and ex-servicemen, has campaigned for payments. And he says they should be made to the widows of the POWs, too. "The suffering endured by British servicemen in the Far East while captured lasts long in the memories of many people," said the Labour MP who felt payments to veterans "who were detained and treated appallingly is only right".

He added: "I was pleased to read recent reports that the Chancellor may be considering such as move and I have tabled a question to the Prime Minister to make a statement on this matter."

He added that there now seemed a real chance that payments might now be made, saying: "I believe that it would be fitting for such a decision to be made during the month of remembrance as we enter the new millennium."