Bradford peace campaigner Karl Dallas says more and more people are arriving in Iraq to join him as a human shield in the war-threatened country.

The 72-year-old, of Manningham, arrived in Iraq on Thursday and set up base after volunteering to help residents in the capital Baghdad should conflict break out.

"More and more people are arriving every day and we are virtually taking over the city, organising demonstrations and public music performances all the time," he said. "It's like a city-wide festival."

Mr Dallas is one of hundreds of anti-war volunteers in Baghdad as part of the Human Shield Mission, which aims to help Iraqis and give medical assistance if there are injuries.

He and fellow campaigners flew out to Jordan before being bussed to their base. Since he arrived Mr Dallas has been visiting places likely to be targeted, including an electricity supply station.

He has also visited a Baghdad press centre in protest at a New York Times story which said Iraqi people would welcome war.

"If that's so, they're not talking to the same people that I am," he said.

"I took along my Martin guitar and we all sang along.

"We went up on the roof and had a Beatles-style rooftop concert, singing Give Peace a Chance.

"After that we met a crowd of Iraqi guys in a local party and made a circle singing to each other.

"After we left to find something to eat they were still chanting 'No, no! Not in my name!'."

Mr Dallas will be joined in Baghdad by 32-year-old Uzma Bashir, of Bradford, who was flying out at the weekend.

"I am willing to put my life on the line," she said.