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FAMILIES whose loved ones are serving in Afghanistan admit they are now more worried about the threat of terrorism after the killing of Osama bin Laden.

The al-Qaida leader was shot dead at a compound near Islamabad in Pakistan in a ground operation based on U.S. intelligence.

Prime Minister David Cameron has warned the nation to be extra vigilant.

Now North Staffordshire families say they are feeling "more edgy" about possible reprisal attacks.

Geoff Cartlidge, whose son 27-year-old Matt is currently serving with the 3rd Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Staffords), said the death of al-Qaida's leader could inflame the militants.

The 56-year-old, of Loomer Road, Chesterton, said: "I've got a bit edgy since I heard the news.

"My wife, Wendy, shouted down the stairs saying 'bin Laden had been killed' and my immediate reaction was I felt great.

"But as a father you know it's going to inflame people and bring a lot of anger in certain people.

"It made me a little apprehensive and I will be looking forward to hearing Matt's voice again.

"He seems pretty sound when he phones, but he never, ever talks about what he's doing."

Pentagon officials said yesterday bin Laden's body had been buried at sea after a Muslim funeral on board an aircraft carrier.

Terrie Wright, wife to 22-year-old Lance Corporal Daniel Wright who is currently deployed as part of the 3rd Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Staffords), said the news had also made her more apprehensive.

Daniel is in the fire support group attached to C-company.

He commands Jackals, armoured vehicles designed to protect against roadside explosions.

Terrie, aged 19, who is originally from Basford, said: "I was excited when I heard the news at first, because we've been needing this to happen for quite a while.

"But then I started to think about it for a while and thought there might be quite a lot of angry people out there now.

"I'm a bit more worried now and apprehensive in case more things start happening.

"I spoke to Daniel on Sunday and his morale is high and he's been happy at getting so many parcels and letters from everybody."

Shelton Islamic Centre director Rana Tufail said he did not think bin Laden's assassination would affect the Muslim community in the Potteries.

He said: "I wouldn't have thought the Muslim community living in Stoke-on-Trent will have any reaction to this event.

"If the killing of bin Laden brings peace to the world we are in favour of it.

"We want to live in peace here. We are peaceful people and we abide by our religion to be peaceful wherever we are."

Bin Laden, who was 54, approved the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Centre, in New York, and Washington in which nearly 3,000 people died.

He had topped a most wanted list, but had evaded capture by the U.S. forces and its allies for almost a decade despite a �15 million bounty on his head.

Basford resident Andrew Dean questioned the way the U.S. handled the situation.

The 35-year-old said: "You can't justify anything bin Laden did, but you have to question the legality of killing. The world is a better place if he has done these things such as 9/11."

Stoke-on-Trent South MP Rob Flello said families should not be any more worried.

He said: "They shouldn't be anymore on edge because the British military is literally second to none, and I can say that first-hand after being to Iraq and Afghanistan and seeing the level of security and how careful they are."