PEOPLE in Broadstairs will mark the 100th dead British soldier in Iraq by holding a peace vigil by the town’s war memorial this evening.

The vigil is being organised by the Broadstairs Stop the War group.

Christine Tongue, a member of the group, said: "This is an opportunity for anyone who is opposed to the invasion and continuing occupation of Iraq to express their feelings."

Cpl Gordon Pritchard, 31, a father of three, has become the 100th UK forces fatality since the 2003 invasion died in a blast in southern Iraq.

The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards soldier was killed in Umm Qasr, Basra province. It follows the death of L/Cpl Allan Douglas, 22, who was shot and killed in Maysan province on Monday.

Christine Tongue stressed: "The hundred dead British soldiers are a terrible loss, but of course this on top of the dead soldiers from other countries and the many thousands of Iraqi dead.

"The terrible thing is there are no official figures for the numbers of Iraqi killed in the war.

"The forces of occupation are part of the problem not part of the solution. They should leave now."

The group claims the war memorial is an extremely appropriate place for a peace vigil.

Christine Tongue added: "War memorials are to remember those who died in war. We are remembering those who have died in the Iraqi war, and we arfe saying enough have died. Let’s stop the killing now. Bring the troops home."

The vigil will take place at 5pm by the Broadstairs War Memorial, outside Pierremont Park, Broadstairs High Street.

A similar vigil was being held at the Buttermarket outside the cathedral in Canterbury today.