NATO needs Baltics defence plan, British MPs say

* NATO should draw up plans to defend Baltic states, MPs say

* West must not accept Russian sphere of influence-report

By Adrian Croft

LONDON, July 10 (Reuters) - NATO should reassure its eastern European members fearful of a possible attack from Russia by drawing up contingency plans to defend Baltic states and staging military exercises there, British lawmakers said on Friday.

Some of Russia's neighbours were understandably concerned about possible Russian military action against them following last year's war between Russia and Georgia, Parliament's Defence Committee said in a report.

NATO should reassure its east European members through "robust contingency plans that cover the eventuality of attack on Baltic member states and that set out NATO's planned military response", the report said.

"In addition, NATO should maintain a visible military presence in the Baltic states, including maintaining its air policing and conducting exercises in the region," it said.

The report chimes with comments by NATO's departing secretary-general, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, who said on Tuesday that the alliance's new mission statement must reassure new members they will be protected.