OVER 200 people from the Malvern area travelled to London on Saturday to protest against war with Iraq.

Back in Malvern, 50 more people who had not been able to take part in the country's largest ever rally, began their own demonstration at Belle Vue Terrace.

Feeling frustrated that she couldn't get to London because of her young children, Malvern resident Deborah Farley rang around some friends to organise a protest here.

"We just wanted to make our feelings shown," she said.

Three coaches from Malvern travelled to London for the Stop the War Coalition march.

Concerned Malvern resident Phil Howard had contacted Joe Sturge, of the Malvern Justice and Peace group, to arrange the trip.

"All sorts of people attended the march," said Mr Howard.

"It was absolutely superb; almost a carnival for peace."

Eileen Richards, of the Justice and Peace Group, who carried a banner including a striking image of Christ crucified on a warplane, said the march had been incredible.

"A lot of people who hadn't been on demos before came along," she said. "The atmosphere was amazing."

Another peace protest will take place in Malvern if war with Iraq begins.

For that members of the Justice and Peace Group say they will join concerned residents below Belle Vue terrace at 6pm on the day war breaks out as part of a national vigil.