The vicar of Pershore, the Rev Kenneth Crawford, has accused Western powers of being determined to "dominate and subdue" countries that are opposed to them.

Writing in the town's latest Abbey Link magazine, Mr Crawford said: "As we read of 'fake' photographs of atrocities, of brutality towards the enemy, of challenging letters to Blair and Bush, pointing out the flaws in their political stance against Iraq, and of America's soft pedalling in not denouncing Ariel Sharon's policy towards Hammas, we see a world shaken by its own arrogance and wilfulness.

"Can anything really be done to curb the West's determination to dominate and subdue?"

He said the challenge now facing the West now was to show respect for all human life, in its relationships with other countries.