GUARDSMAN's mum Lynda Holmes is off on a mass anti-war rally in London - as her soldier son prepares for action in Iraq.

Lynda Holmes, of Seymour Road, Alcester, is planning to join thousands of other protesters in London on Saturday, a month before her 24-year-old son Robert is due to be posted to the Middle-East war zone.

"Many people will say soldiers are trained to fight and, if needed, should not complain about going. My son doesn't - I do. I don't feel this war is a just war," said the angry mother of three.

Robert Holmes, who serves with the Grenedier Guards, faces a six-month posting to Iraq in May, followed by a posting to Afghanistan a year after.

His worried mum said: "I did tell my son I was going on this demonstration in London later this month and he asked what for and didn't understand why.

"If it was the Second World War, then it would be different, but it's not. We invaded them without UN consent - so it is not right that this is still happening.

"I don't know if my son actually thought he was going to war when he enrolled, but he is. It really hits home when someone is called up."

Some of Robert's peers have already died in Iraq but Mrs Holmes says she does not talk about it with her son as she doesn't want to make him uneasy.

March organiser Helen Salmon has arranged a coach from Birmingham so local campaigners can show their opposition.

Mrs Holmes said: "I don't want my son to go but I have to support him. So when he's there in Iraq I'm going to think of him and support him there. I pray daily that my son and his platoon will not go.

"I would urge people to either come on the London march, or write to their MP or their local government representatives about this."