A 'BLACK coffin' peace protest against the war in Iraq has been called off to avoid causing offence.
Organisers have scrapped Taunton Deane Stop The War Coalition demonstration through the centre of Taunton following several complaints.
Opponents feared the 'funeral' would upset families of Royal Marines and other service personnel in the Gulf - Taunton Deane Mayor Adrian Prior-Sankey dubbed it "tasteless", "insensitive and inappropriate".
And Taunton woman Dorothy Baker said she was horrified because the demo would clash with the annual Somerset Light Infantry Malayan reunion, which attracts veterans from all over the country.
Mrs Baker said: "We wouldn't want these black coffins casting a black shadow when these gallant men are in town - I might add, 'If at all'.
"What we are about now, surely, is building the peace in Iraq and honouring those of any generation who have put their personal safety at risk in the fight against oppression."
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