MARCH 20: Protesters in Swindon have pledged to continue to voice their opposition to military action in Iraq.

Demonstrations are due to be held in Swindon today, at 1pm and 6pm at the Cenotaph in Regent Circus.

Dozens gathered at the Cenotaph in Regent Circus to hold a vigil for peace yesterday.

And students at New College held a party for peace outside the campus at Walcot.

Andy Newman, secretary of Swindon Stop The War Coalition, said: "We are sad but also angry. We are sad that people are going to die now and angry that people are going to die after the British people, by every means possible, have made their views known that they don't support a war.

"It is a terrible position to put British troops into when they know people don't support it. The people are going to be saying never again must we allow this to happen and this war will come back to haunt Tony Blair and the MPs who voted for war - it won't be forgotten.

"When the troops go in on the ground and the bombing starts I expect there will be walk-outs from schools, offices and factories - if this is happening in Swindon imagine what is likely to happen in places such as Manchester."

And a march is planned on Saturday by hundreds of anti-war protesters who will set off from the Cenotaph at noon and march down Regent Street, The Parade, Fleming Way and Commercial Road, finishing in the Brunel Plaza.

Mr Newman said that marchers will then board coaches to join other protesters for a peaceful demonstration at RAF Fairford.

Speakers booked for the event include writer George Monbiot and comedian Mark Thomas.

Mr Newman said he regretted that both Swindon MPs, Julia Drown and Michael Wills, backed the government's motion authorising disarming Saddam Hussein by "all means necessary".

Laura Grey, 17, is studying AS levels at New College and helped organise the students' protest.

She said: "We don't think it's too late to stand up for what we believe in.

"We wanted to be heard and make a statement and say that we don't agree with what's happening."

Andrew Stimpson, 22, also attended the protest.

He said: "My view is you can't stop terrorism with terrorism. We have our principles and we are going to stick to them. It is never too late to protest.

"I am not anti-war I just don't support this one."

Nationally, peace campaigners called on the British people to stage a mass walk-out from their workplaces, colleges and schools today in protest at the start of military action in Iraq.

The Stop the War Coalition, which has led UK protests against the conflict against Saddam Hussein's regime, said it was a "day of shame" for Britain after allied forces began their bombing campaign on Baghdad.

Five leading aid agencies in the UK also urged the Government to take "all possible precautions" to avoid civilian casualties during the conflict.

The directors of Christian Aid, Cafod, Oxfam, Save the Children and Action Aid called for a "massive" increase in Government funding to help the UN deal with a possible humanitarian crisis.

Speaking on behalf of the agencies, Christian Aid director Daleep Mukarji said: "The warring parties have obligations under international law to avoid civilian casualties and to ensure civilians have safe access to food, shelter, water and medical attention. These obligations must be met.

"Furthermore, we are also calling on the UK Government to massively scale up its funding to the UN, in the hope that a humanitarian disaster can be avoided."

The Government has already promised an initial £10 million for humanitarian relief efforts in Iraq.

But the aid agencies believe this funding has come from the Department for International Development's existing budget, because no new funds have been allocated by the Treasury.

The joint statement continued: "We call on the UK Government to ensure that no aid or resources are diverted from humanitarian crises elsewhere in the world in order to meet humanitarian obligations in Iraq."

The agencies also called for a new UN resolution to establish alternative food distribution systems in Iraq if the current system collapses during the conflict.

The UN is predicting that up to three million Iraqis may leave their homes but remain within Iraqi borders, while a further 600,000 may seek refuge beyond the borders.

The statement also reminded Iraq's neighbouring states of their legal obligations to provide refuge and assistance to those fleeing the conflict.

Aid agencies believe the UN should play the leading role in delivering humanitarian aid and in rebuilding the country after the war.

CND said it was "appalled" by the start of the "illegal, immoral war against Iraq" and called on campaigners to gather outside Downing Street at 6pm with whistles and drums to make as much noise as possible.

A spokesman said: "This war will, in all probability, kill and injure hundreds of thousands of innocent people and devastate the entire nation, weakened already by 12 years of economic sanctions.

"Mr Blair has made a grave error of judgment when he abandoned the UN route to follow the US road to war."

CND chairman Carol Naughton said: "Crimes against humanity will be perpetrated in this bloody war. We will support any members of the military who refuse to carry out an order that would cause death or suffering to civilians."