HUNDREDS of people turned out to support a peace protest organised by the Swindon Stop the War Coalition.

Coach loads of protesters from London, Liverpool and Cambridge joined up with campaigners from Swindon at RAF Brize Norton on Saturday.

Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn and Green Party MEP Caroline Lucas were among those who spoke to the crowd on a day hailed as a triumph for peace.

Protest organiser Andy Newman said: "There were 700 or 800 people there from all over the country. We had 20 plus people from Swindon there and all in all it was a successful event."

Brize Norton is the main base for transporting British troops and supplies to Iraq and Afghanistan, but protesters want it to be used to bring troops home instead.

Mr Newman said: "I think a number of people don't realise there are thousands of troops involved in Iraq and Afghanistan actually based here.

"The war is over here, not just over there as well."

A procession from Brize Norton village passed the main gates of the base, where flowers were laid to commemorate the dead of all nations.

Swindon Stop the War Coalition member Brian Shakespeare read out the names of some of the fallen British soldiers.

Mr Shakespeare, of Gorse Hill, said: "The objective was to make a symbolic gesture to the people who died in order that they are not forgotten.

"I asked the march to consider the thousands of young children covered in blood and terrified. It's a telling image for me while our elected representatives stand by and remain silent."

He said the Swindon group was pleased with the result and the attendance.

"I think we need to remind ourselves that this was our first attempt at such organisation.

"The day was important because we feel that these illegal wars are going to be a continuing feature and so we feel it's necessary for the population to protest and show our disagreement."

For Ian Duthie, 26, of Haydon Wick, it was his first taste of what the coalition does.

He said: "I heard about the protest and it's the first time I have gone on one.

"We held a two-minute silence and everyone around joined in. There was a lot of respect.

"The bottom line is we don't want people to die. I will certainly be taking part in this sort of thing again."

The Swindon Stop the War Coalition's next meeting is at 7.30pm in the Quaker House, Eastcott Road, tomorrow.