MPs voted overwhelmingly in favour of air strikes against Islamic State (IS) terrorists in Iraq this afternoon.

Parliament had earlier been recalled by David Cameron to debate the proposal and MPs delivered a resounding majority in the ensuing vote with 524 in favour of the action and 43 against.

The US-led intervention will target the extremist group which has captured large portions of Iraqi and Syrian territory over the summer and posted disturbing videos of American journalist James Foley and British aid worker David Haines being beheaded.

Bournemouth West MP Conor Burns has spent the past few weeks campaigning for parliament to be recalled and said he was disappointed it had taken so long to happen.

“We've been witnessing the slaughter of the innocent in Iraq and the displacement of many minority communities, including Iraqi Christians,” he added.

"I now look forward to decisive action by a broad based alliance at the invitation of the Iraqi Government to halt the advance of the evil organisation IS and ultimately seek to eliminate it.

"To those who have asked me not to support this, I would say this is not a danger in a faraway land. As we've seen by the activities of some British born Muslims who have gone to fight for IS, this is a threat potentially to our own cities here in the UK.”

Liberal Democrat Annette Brooke, who represents Mid Dorset and North Poole, said she voted in favour of the motion with a “very heavy heart” and after “agonising all night”.

“The idea we can negotiate with these barbaric people is just not possible,” she added.

“I voted against the Iraq war in 2003 - but this time it is about defending and not attacking.”

Poole MP Robert Syms, who put his support behind the government motion, said: “The Prime Minister has set out quite clearly that there is a strategic plan to involve other countries, including Arab states.

“I'm pleased we're not putting boots on the ground but will still be playing our full part, along with many other countries.”

Dorset South MP Richard Drax also voted in favour.

He said: “We needed to do something to help these poor people being butchered.”

Tobias Ellwood, Bournemouth East MP and minister for Middle East and North Africa, and New Forest East MP Julian Lewis also voted in favour of the motion.