Mid Sussex MP Nicholas Soames has called for retired British police officers to be sent to Iraq to help keep the peace.

Mr Soames said officers who had taken early retirement could play a vital role in preventing problems such as looting.

Disorder is the biggest difficulty facing UK and US troops as military action comes to an end.

Looting has been widespread on the streets of Baghdad and Basra, Iraq's second city. Looters have even stolen hospital equipment and ambulances.

Speaking in the Commons, Mr Soames said Allied forces must gain control of security before "waging the war for peace on a huge scale".

He told Tony Blair: "Substantial numbers of relatively young men and women leave the police force and they would be ideally suited to going to Iraq to assist in the maintenance of good order.

"Will the Prime Minister see how he can push that forward?"

One group of retired officers who have been suggested are those who quit the Royal Ulster Constabulary early.

Mr Blair said he would give the idea careful consideration.

He added: "It is a priority for us, because the better we can maintain order the better it is for the people of Iraq and the less is the pressure on our soldiers."

Mr Soames, a former Armed Forces Minister, also paid tribute to the "gallantry, determination and - above all - humanity" of British troops in Iraq.

He praised the "patience and fortitude" of their families.