Prime Minister Tony Blair is backing pleas for a public apology for the deaths of more than 600 war volunteers.

We revealed last week how the black South Africans were on the SS Mendi in the Channel in 1917 when their ship was rammed by a British liner in thick fog.

They were on their way to dig trenches in France during the First World War but all perished in the disaster.

The liner did not stop to help and no official notification or apology was given to the relatives.

Mr Blair, on his way by train to a meeting in Hove, said: "We are looking at it. It is being looked at now. It is a very serious issue but it happened such a long time ago we need to know more about it."

Today Kemp Town MP Des Turner is tabling an Early Day Motion in the Commons in support of the relatives and a dossier has also been sent to Secretary of State for Defence Geoff Hoon.

Leaders from the City Gate Church in Brighton unearthed the scandal on a recent visit to South Africa and plans are being made by tribal chiefs and church leaders in both countries to build identical memorial stones in South Africa and on the South Downs, near Brighton.

The Prime Minister was in a relaxed mood yesterday but would not discuss the date of the General Election except to say it need not be cancelled because of foot-and-mouth disease, if it was still around.

He said local elections, due on May 3, would definitely take place.

Mr Blair cited the "buoyant" economy as the main reason for voters to come out and vote Labour.

He also mentioned increases in public spending on health and education and putting up the minimum wage by ten per cent.

Mr Blair said he recognised the feeling in Sussex about greenfield sites going to make room for housing but added: "A balance has to be kept."

He also acknowledged concerns about a lack of democracy in local government with the introduction of the leader and Cabinet system.

He said authorities such as Brighton and Hove City Council would hold polls on whether to have directly-elected mayors.