MARKET Lavington peace campaigner Robin Brookes is one of seven protesters seeking a judicial review of their income tax being used to wage war by the British Government.

The Peace Tax Seven are people from all over the country who, as pacifists, object to their tax pounds being used to engage in war in general and the invasion of Iraq in particular.

Mr Brookes, a committed Quaker, withheld his income tax last year in protest at British involvement in Iraq and ended up in court. Despite an order from the magistrates at Chippenham, he has still not paid his taxes and is still waiting for a visit from the bailiffs.

But he was not prepared to leave it at that, and has now joined with six other people from all over the country to press for a judicial review of the tax system, citing Article Nine of the European Convention on Human Rights, which defends people's rights to their religious beliefs.

Mr Brookes said: "We are asking for this judicial review on the basis that being forced to pay our share for the waging of war is against our deeply held beliefs and religious convictions."

In a "letter before action" sent to the Treasury the point is made: "Our clients wish to emphasise that they do not object to paying tax in principle. They are all law-abiding citizens and actively wish to contribute to society.

"Nor do they wish to pay a penny less than the whole amount of tax due from them to the Government. They are entirely willing, and indeed, have repeatedly tried to do so."

Mr Brookes has been supported by the Devizes Peace Group, which sees itself as a forum for like-minded people.