More than two out of three people thought Blair's handling of the war itself was excellent (18 percent) or good (50 percent) while just over a quarter said it was poor (19 percent) or very poor (nine percent).

But 39 percent of those surveyed by YouGov believed that there will be heavy civilian casualties in the battle for Baghdad, while 50 percent thought they would be moderate and only five percent thought they would be light.

The poll also found that the public was split on the question of whether the war would make the rest of the world more peaceful and stable, with some 44 percent saying it would not.

Some 55 percent of those quizzed said the United States and Britain were right to have taken military action against Iraq, compared to 38 percent who said they were wrong.

A majority of those polled said they would tolerate higher casualties to win the war.

Some 51 percent said British troops should remain in the war as long as it lasts, no matter how many casualties, and 27 percent said they should continue to take part only if the casualty rate remains at current levels.

YouGov polled 3,800 adults on April 3 and 4.

SPACE.WIRE