The people have spoken

Organisers claimed up to two million people took part in London, although official police estimates put the figure at a more modest 750,000.

Mosques from Preston, Blackburn, Nelson, Bolton, Bury and Manchester laid out coaches for people wishing to travel to London. Others travelled South in their cars and on specially commissioned trains.

Among them was Altaf Ahmed of Blackburn who travelled with two of his friends, He told us, "We know many people who went to the march. It was truly inspiring to see people from all backgrounds getting together and saying with one voice...NO WAR."

"We set off at 6 o'clock in the morning and arrived back past midnight. It was a long tiring journey but one we are all proud we managed take part in. I don't think anyone was bothered about being tired though because it was all about being there and making a difference."

Saima Khan of Bury told us, "We walked for over four hours and missed the speeches but that doesn't make any difference because it was about getting the message across. It would be foolish for the government not to listen to the people now."

"As a British citizen I don't think the government has been listening to my views and wanted them to know people like myself don't believe the all the talk about 'making the world a safer place through war with Iraq'.

"I walked alongside an American for much of the march."

Junaid Patel Whalley New Road, Blackburn was accompanied by four of his friends and drove down a day earlier. He said, "It was life changing and a once in a lifetime experience. To see so many people of different backgrounds was a spritual renaissance.

"It was very peaceful and the atmosphere was brilliant. I say the people of this nation have spoken...and the government should now take notice and listen."

"I don't if it will make a difference to the plans of George Bush and Tony Blair Blair...probably not"

For Aisha Anwar of Preston, this was the first march she had taken part in. She told us, "I am Muslim but also a member of this country and have never taken an active part in protests such as this. I think it was important for me to take part. This war is all about oil and the targeting of another Muslim country by the US government. Tony Blair is this country's Prime Minister and should listen to the views of his country's men and women."

"I saw many families and young people people who hadn't participated in such protests before and the leaders should ask themselves why people like myself felt so strongly so as to take part."

As campaigners opposed to a possible war with Iraq flooded into Hyde Park, millions across the globe held simultaneous protests.

Demonstrations took place in hundreds of cities around the world including Rome, Melbourne, Tokyo, Berlin, Paris, New York and Hong Kong.

In London, high-profile civil rights leaders, pop stars, actors and politicians laid out their case for peace.

On a cold day with biting winds, protesters of all ages, religion and race joined the rally, organised by the Stop the War Coalition.

Waving banners and flags, protesters cheered and shouted as speakers put across the case against war.

Former Labour Cabinet minister Mo Mowlam joined veteran campaigner Tony Benn, Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy, Reverend Jesse Jackson, London Mayor Ken Livingstone, playwright Harold Pinter and campaigner Bianca Jagger.

R&B star Ms Dynamite rounded off the protest with a short speech damning Prime Minister Tony Blair before belting out one of her hit songs.

Hollywood star Tim Robbins called the turnout inspiring and said he hoped Mr Blair and US president George Bush would take notice.

Asked if he had a message for the Prime Minister, he said,"Wake up and smell the democracy."

The noisy but good-natured protest was almost entirely peaceful, with Scotland Yard reporting just seven arrests.

Two men aged 31 and 32 were detained for public order offences.

One 47-year-old man was detained for possession of an offensive weapon and racist material after being arrested in Whitehall Place.

Four anti-war activists were arrested after more than 20 people held a sit-down protest in the road near the Eros statue in Piccadilly Circus.

One was arrested for being drunk and disorderly, a second for being drunk, a third for inciting harassment and the fourth for highway obstruction, a police spokeswoman said.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Trotter praised the behaviour of those who went on the march.

"Having so few arrests when so many people are gathered together with passionate views is a reflection on everyone involved - those marching, the organisers, and the police officers themselves," he said.

Not all Iraqis supported the protest, there was dissent from the Iraqi Prospect Organisation (IPO).

The IPO said many people in Iraq believed Saddam Hussein could only be removed by military force.

Spokesman Sama Hadad said, "The anti-war movement does not differentiate between Saddam and Iraq.

"Those who really care about the people of Iraq should not campaign against the only way that can free them from the hands of Saddam and his regime."

Jacques More, 44, a writer from Croydon, south London, mounted a lone protest outside the Iraqi section of the Jordanian embassy in central London, holding a placard proclaiming his support of military action to bring down Saddam.

But more than 450 organisations affiliated themselves to the Stop the War Coalition including Greenpeace, the Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru and the SNP.

The Prime Minister said:,"I rejoice that we live in a country where peaceful protest is a natural part of our democratic process.

"But I ask the marchers to understand this: I do not seek unpopularity as a badge of honour. But sometimes it is the price of leadership and the cost of conviction."

In Glasgow, organisers said 61,000 protesters marched through the city centre towards the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, where the Labour Party's spring conference was being held.

A spokeswoman said it was the biggest protest the city had seen since anti-poll tax demonstrations in March 1990.