ALMOST 200 students skipped school and protested against climate change.

Students of all ages from many of the city’s primary and secondary schools gathered outside the Guildhall on Friday (March 15) to demand action on climate change by the government.

The protest in the city centre was part of a number of demonstrations being held across the country.

Organiser Jennifer Thompson Chatburn said she was "absolutely overwhelmed" by the turnout as only 15 students were expected to turn up.

The 17-year-old A-Level student said she was inspired by the Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, who started skipping school to raise awareness about climate issues.

She said: "Hopefully [today] puts pressure on our local MPs and councillors to act."

Protestors heard a number of speeches by local councillors including Neil Laurenson, Joy Squires, Tom Collins and Green Party parliamentary candidate for Worcester Councillor Louis Stephen.

Cllr Louis Stephen said he was “very impressed and very proud” to see such a large turnout.

He said: "I am in awe. The amount of people that turns up puts a lot of pressure on local councillors and tells them that something has to be done."

Phillipa Gilfillan, who runs city zero-waste shop Pack It In in The Shambles, called on the city to change its attitude and do as much as possible to lead a more environmentally friendly lifestyle.

Cllr Neil Laurenson said: "I am really impressed by the number of students that have felt they needed to walk out of school to speak up about this.

"I have been to a number of environmental protests in the city over the years and this has been one of the biggest and the most impressive."

Cllr Joy Squires said: "I am thrilled by the amount of young people that have decided to take action.

"A lot of them are saying they feel politicians are not taking climate change seriously enough but we will make sure they are listened to.

"When we do make the changes at a local level it can have a terrific impact."