Thousands take to streets for anti-war protest

A mass demonstration against conflict with Iraq got under way as thousands of anti-war campaigners converged on central London.

Bearing placards with the slogans No War On Iraq and Make Tea, Not War, thousands of marchers set off on what is expected to be the UK's largest ever peace protest.

They began their procession from the Embankment, where crowds had gathered throughout the morning.

Sounding whistles and cheering, the protesters were making their way towards Hyde Park for a rally.

A march from a second meeting point in Gower Street was expected to start slightly later.

People travelled from all over the country to show their support for the peace movement.

More than 500,000 people were expected to take part throughout the day, with organisers believing numbers could swell to one million.

Organiser John Rees said the atmosphere was great and the protest started early because of the growing numbers of people at Embankment.

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