Ref. 22968-43 Andy Newman secretary of the Swindon Stop The War CoalitionTHE mood was definitely subdued as our coach pulled away from Swindon College and there was quiet chatter as we made our way to the capital.

For many of the Swindonians it was the first time they had been on a demonstration and you could tell some did not know quite what to expect.

What we were met with as we stepped off the bus in Marylebone Street yesterday was quite over-whelming. There was a heaving mass of people, accompanied by deafening whistles and drums.

The wide-eyed group of 35 protesters from the Swindon Stop the War Coalition joined the crowd of thousands from across the UK and Europe in their plea for peace and an end to the coalition occupation of the Middle East country.

The Swindon contingency arrived in Russell Square the start of the peace march at 2pm.

There was a heavy police presence but activists were intent on dancing and waving banners, not causing trouble.

The Stop The War Coalition was hoping that up to 50,000 people would attend the event to demand the withdrawal of all troops from Iraq. The protest was the culmination of the three-day European Social Forum in which thousands of trade unionists, environmental and peace campaigners and politicians gathered to oppose war, racism and corporate power.

Andy Newman, secretary of the Swindon coalition, said: "Many people say the war is over but it is far from it. There are more people dying now in Iraq that there were during the campaign itself."

Swindon College student Jamie Sinclair, 17, from Pinehurst Road, said: "I'm unhappy with the way the war was justified. It won't be over until all of the coalition troops are out of the country."

His feelings were shared by fellow student Kayleigh Pickard, also 17, from Marlborough, said: "The whole war was madness and it's important that all young people should join together to tell the Government this.''

The march started from Russell Square, and went south of the Thames before heading back towards the Houses of Parliament. By 3.30pm there was hardly a pigeon in sight as Trafalgar Square was engulfed by protesters.

For Swindon couple Liz and Andrew Barrington, in their 50s, it was their first time at a demonstration. "It is an amazing turn out," said Mr Barrington."Bush and Blair have killed not in the name of freedom, but in the name of oil."

We left around 6pm but the colourful protest promised to continue into the dark night.

Anthony Osborne