An Essex MP has described coming under rocket attack on a fact-finding mission to Iraq.

Bernard Jenkin experienced rocket and mortar fire first-hand during a three-day visit to Basra and Baghdad.

"The siren wails. Everyone gets down on the floor in hard hats and body armour as we wait to hear how close the incoming rocket lands. It's disconcerting the first time it happens, but we have been briefed and it becomes routine," he said "But despite hundreds of rocket and mortar attacks on the base - sometimes half a dozen per night - there have been mercifully few serious injuries and no deaths."

He was there with other members of the Commons Defence Select Committee.

The North Essex Tory claims Iraq is not a "lost cause", providing the coalition stays another six-18 months.

"Basra will not be Colchester, but it is not Beirut. More like Palermo, or Chicago in the 1920s - armed gangs and protection rackets smuggling oil and drugs. Not nice - but a job for local police, not a foreign army."

Mr Jenkin said morale remained "very good" despite rising casualties "Even though the Iranians are supplying roadside bombs which can occasionally penetrate a tank with horrific consequences, the guys were on top form, only lamenting the lack of cold beer in the 40 degree heat."

He vividly described zigzagging in Sea King helicopters low over the roofs of Baghdad.

"These stomach-churning manoeuvres are the best means of avoiding potential ground fire or lock-on by a surface-to-air missile.

"Each side, machine guns are manned at the open doors. The gunners scan the ground for any sign of hostiles. The electronic defence sensors are sensitive to anything that could be a missile, so there is an occasional bang, as flares are fired behind the aircraft, falling onto people's balconies and gardens."

Explosions punctuated his meeting with the British Ambassador and Maj General Graham Lamb - the coalition force's second in command. Mr Jenkin later discovered an Iranian rocket had killed a US army captain and civilians at President Talibani's palace - where he was due to have dinner.