HEREFORDSHIRE was well represented in last weekend's global anti-war protests. Demonstrators staged a peace vigil in Hereford.

Hundreds more from around the county flocked to join the massive march which brought central London to a standstill.

Some local people travelled independently but many took advantage of special coaches. Five coaches from Hereford, three from Leominster and Ludlow, and others from Knighton, Presteigne and Ross-on-Wye took protesters to the capital for what became the biggest demonstration in British history.

Karlin Rushbrooke of Madley who organised the Hereford coaches said he was amazed by the turnout.

"I have never seen anything like it before. For many people there it was a first - two thirds of the people on our coaches had never been on a demonstration before, including some quite elderly people,'' he said.

"It was a great march to be on because we were aware that we were part of a world-wide protest - similar demonstrations were going on in towns and cities around the world.

"When a protest is this big it is bound to impact on the body politic in some way, maybe not tomorrow but it will be on the minds of the politicians."

Hereford marchers carried eye-catching red peace pennants on long sticks and managed to keep together in the throng.

They arrived at the Hyde Park rally in time to hear some of the main speakers - the Reverend Jesse Jackson, Ken Livingstone and Miss Dynamite.

l Children and a small baby were among the Leominster contingent. They were joined by people from Ludlow, Kington and Bromyard. Leominster activist Felicity Norman who went to the demonstration with her two daughters said she was thrilled to see a big turnout by the young.

"They were marching because they don't want the children and youth of Iraq to be obliterated by carpet bombing. In doing so they were part of a historic event they will remember all their lives. None of us 'veterans' can remember anything like this. The scale of this event was breathtaking."

l More than 150 people with placards saying 'Stand up for a peaceful solution in Iraq' gathered at High Town, Hereford, at noon on Saturday for a one hour peace vigil. Members of the public queued to sign a letter to Tony Blair and there was some embarrassment for organisers when sheets ran out at 380 signatures.

Vigil spokeswoman Ruth Stannier said the letter called for UN weapons inspectors to be allowed as much time as they needed. It also urged the UN Security Council to investigate Saddam Hussein for war crimes and crimes against humanity to pave the way for a criminal tribunal. War would not address those issues.

The vigil ended with an unplanned finale.

Ruth said: "Someone started clapping and everyone joined in the applause knowing they were demonstrating in unity with people from all walks of life in many different countries."

l Herefordians Elaine Brook and Paul Swatridge of Gaia Cooperative visited Barcelona to establish links with similar local ecological organisations in Europe. They report that the peace march in Barcelona, among the largest of the worldwide events, was supported by almost 1.5 million people stretching seven kilometres along the city's widest avenues and spreading down side streets.

l Knighton Coalition against the War organised two coaches which were full almost to capacity with over 100 on board between them. Others went on a coach from Clun, or made their own way to London.