London, March 2(IRNA) A coalition of environmentalists, scientific groups, non-governmental organizations, trade unionists, peace campaigners and research institutes Friday joined the growing calls on the UK government to delay upgrading the country's nuclear arms.

"We believe parliament should not be rushed into a premature decision to replace our nuclear weapons system and that more time should be taken for parliamentary and public scrutiny and debate," said the coalition, which included London mayor Ken Livingstone.

Their joint call comes after Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell said on Thursday that he will urge his party's 63 MPs to join backbench Labour rebels in opposing Prime Minister Tony Blair's plans to replace the UK's Trident nuclear missiles.

In a joint letter to the Guardian, the coalition urged the British public to lobby their local MPs to support a delay amendment when Blair calls for a parliamentary vote on his controversial plans on March 14.

"The priority for the government should be launching a renewed diplomatic initiative to seek a breakthrough in disarmament and non- proliferation negotiations, as it has taken a lead in relation to such global challenges as climate change and acute poverty," it said.

The coalition included leading members of Friends of the Earth, CND, Greenpeace, War on Want, People and Planet, Scientists for Global Responsibility, Medact, One World Trust, the British American Security Information Council, the Oxford Research Group, the United Nations Association and National Union of Students.

A poll carried out for Channel Four television on Thursday showed that up to 75 per cent of British voters were opposed to renewing the submarine-based nuclear weapons or in favour of delaying the decision.

A non-binding House of Commons Early Day motion calling on the government to extend its "insufficient" consultation period of three months has already been signed by 142 MPs from seven political parties, including 78 Labour backbenchers out of the party's total of 352.

According to Labour deputy leadership contender Jon Cruddas, that the backbench revolt against Blair's plans for a new generation of nuclear weapons was likely to include moderate MPs as well as left- wingers.

The Daily Telegraph reported Friday that the British premier was increasingly relying on the main opposition Conservatives, who favour retaining nuclear weapons, to secure parliamentary backing for his Trident replacement bill.

Blair has insisted that a decision is needed now because it will take 17 years to design, build and deploy a new Trident system, but critics have accused him of rushing plans to secure his legacy before he steps down from power in the next few months.