Support for the war has risen to 63 percent, a seven point rise since the fall of Baghdad last week and its highest level since last August, according to the ICM poll for The Guardian newspaper.

Only two months ago, in mid-February, ICM tracking showed there was a majority, 52 percent, opposed to the war, while just 29 percent were in favour.

Those who disapprove of military action has now dropped to only 23 percent, the lowest since the ICM "tracker" poll began last August.

The massive swing in public opinion will delight Prime Minister Tony Blair, who ordered British troops into action in the face of widespread concern from voters about the war.

Support for the war among women has risen by 11 points in the last week to 60 percent -- the first time there has been a clear majority -- with only 25 percent against.

There is also a clear majority for the first time among 18-24 year olds with 67 percent now approving of military action -- a rise of 17 points in the last week.

However there are still concerns about the repercussions of the war, with one in four voters believing that the conflict has made the world "a more dangerous place".

One in three say that it has "made no difference", while a third believe the war has "made the world a safer place".

ICM interviewed a random sample of 1,002 adults aged 18 and over by telephone between April 11 and 13.

SPACE.WIRE