Students from a Preston college took part in the protests in Scotland calling for world leaders at the G8 summit to make poverty history.

On Saturday 14 pupils and five members of staff from Cardinal Newman sixth form college joined more than 200,000 people on a peaceful march in Edinburgh .

And on Wednesday three pupils travelled back to protest at Gleneagles, 40 miles from the Scottish capital, where the G8 leaders are meeting.

Sarah Burns, Justina Finnerty and Rachel Williams attended the Scottish Live 8 concert at Murryfield stadium, in Edinburgh, after leaving the protests at Gleneagles because they felt threatened by the risk of riots.

Sarah, 17, from Preston, said: "It was quite scary and chaotic, we felt threatened by the atmosphere, so we left. We went there to make poverty history but other people were there for otherreasons."

Sarah, travelled to Scotland with her mother Julie and aunt Angela Simm, plus college friends Justina, Rachel and Rachel's mum Jo.

Anne Russell, head of religious education and chaplaincy, who led the trip at the weekend, said: "The college is actively involved in social justice.

"The ethos of the college is to encourage students to contribute positively to challenge injustice."

Mrs Russell said the pupils and staff travelled to Scotland on Friday and returned on Sunday after taking part in the march.

Lindsay Sharples, who has just finished her A-levels celebrated her 18th birthday during the march. She said: "I just thought it was a great opportunity to get my voice heard and to spend my birthday doing something worthwhile that I will remember forever."

Rosalind Holmes, 18, added: "Live 8 was on at the time, I thought I was doing more than just watching a few bands."

o About 160 police officers from across Lancashire have been helped with policing in Edinburgh and Gleneagles during the three day G8 summit.