MORE than 100 youngsters walked out of class last week to protest against the start of the war in Iraq.

Year eleven pupils from South Bromsgrove High School staged a protest in Sanders Park last Thursday afternoon only hours after Allied jets launched the first strikes against Iraq.

One concerned year eleven pupil said: "We are against the war with Iraq. Although we believe Saddam Hussein should be removed, we are concerned that there will be many unnecessary casualties and worry about the families who will suffer in Iraq."

The South Bromsgrove High School pupils continued their protest through the High Street up to North Bromsgrove High, where they were joined by dozens of other students before teachers ushered them back to class. South Bromsgrove High School head Phil McTague said: "We support meaningful debate and are proud pupils are taking an interest in current affairs but believe there are more productive and legitimate ways the students could have expressed their point of view rather than walking out of class.

"Some have already sent letters to the town's Tory MP Julie Kirkbride and many are disappointed that a small minority of students decided to demonstrate their views in that way."

Enthusiastic youngsters from Catshill Middle School in Golden Cross Lane also staged a small anti-war protest on the field next to their school.