CONSTITUENTS have backed Hove MP Peter Kyle's support of air strikes against Islamic State on the eve of a crucial Commons vote.

Residents of Hove supported the MP's position when a reporter was sent out on the streets - despite having reservations about a bombing campaign.

Last night Mr Kyle said he had sought assurances over the humanitarian situation and would spend the evening reflecting ahead of the vote.

Lorraine Curry, 48, of Livingstone Road, Hove, said: “I think everybody wants peace but ... I don’t think we can sit back and tolerate [what’s going on in Syria].

“Jeremy Corbyn might not want to retaliate but there’s only so much tolerance you can have. Something has to be done about it.”

Michael Thomas, 42, of The Drive, Hove, said: “Absolutely they should do something about [Isis in Syria] because if they don’t I can’t see it getting any better.

“MPs are put in a position to lead and they should make the decision themselves.”

Ben Rozario, 28, of Portslade, said: “Either way it’s going to happen whether he backs it or not.

“People may say it’s inhumane and wrong but it’s tit for tat. In the end it’s justifiable. We have to take the fight to them.”

But Nick Sayers, 42, of Hove, said: “We shouldn’t be bombing people in Syria. It’s a complete mess over there and it’s not going to help.

“Saying you are going to get someone with humanitarian aid is like punching them in the face and then giving them a plaster.

“He should listen to his constituents. The assumption that we will go to war needs to be questioned.”

Helene Kemp, 32, of Denmark Villas, Hove, added: “I certainly don’t think we should bomb anyone.”

And Michelle Paterson, 56, of North Road, Portslade, said: “They tried it with Iraq and what did that achieve? It will cause more bloodshed. Personally, I don’t agree with it at all.”

But Mrs Paterson added: “Whatever Peter chooses to do, not everybody’s going to agree with it. We should stand by him regardless.”

And not everybody did agree, as a poll on The Argus website showed seven out of ten people said Mr Kyle should reconsider his stance.

However on the streets of Mr Kyle's constituency views were much more in line with their MP's.

Others echoed this sentiment. Michael Franklin, 77, of Poynings Drive, Hangleton, said: “Peter should go with what he believes, go with his own conscience.”

Summer Geoghegan, 20, of Portslade, added: “I would say my friends agree with air strikes in Syria. But whatever Peter chooses to do, it’s going to be wrong.”

Matthew Moore, 43, of Denmark Villas, Hove, said: “I think it’s important for Peter to listen to the public when he can but it shouldn’t slow down the process. I personally don’t agree with it but I trust him to make the right decision.”