Thousands of anti-war protestors took to the region's streets in what could be the last weekend of peace rallies before conflict breaks out in Iraq.

Up to 5,000 people joined a march through York, while an estimated 1,500 gathered in Newcastle to protest against war.

Protest marches were also held in Leeds, London, Portsmouth, Exeter and parts of Devon on Saturday, to coincide with a Converge on the White House demonstration in Washington.

Peace rallies were also held in other parts of the world including Germany, Japan and Malaysia.

In York, a number of speakers, including Lindsey German, convenor for the Stop The War Coalition, addressed the crowd outside the Minster.

She said: "There was a fantastic atmosphere at the event.

"People of all ages and races were there, and the feeling was we can defeat this war."

Rory Palmer, of York University Students Against the War, said: "People opposed to the war are becoming increasingly angry that it seems to be inevitable."

The march and rally in Newcastle was organised by the Tyneside Stop the War Coalition.

Spokeswoman Hayley Green said: "The response was overwhelming. Some people had never been on a march before.

"There were children, pensioners and even former servicemen taking part. We got a lot of support going through the town."

The procession made its way to Times Square, where speakers included the Mayor of Newcastle, John Marshall, TUC Northern secretary Kevin Rowan, and Phil Bowyer of the Muslim Welfare House.

Among the protestors was a lone D-Day veteran, Reginald Peebles, who braved the rally to back the actions of Prime Minister Tony Blair and US President George W Bush, and show his support for British soldiers stationed in the Gulf.

Dressed in his maroon uniform, Mr Peebles, of Wallsend, said: "Having seen the protests in London, I felt that there was no one to stick up for our troops out there."

Anti-war protestors in Darlington joined a worldwide candlelit vigil last night in the town's Market Square.

Mike Winstanley, a member of Darlington for Peace, said: "We have to show the world that the majority of people oppose this war and that our thoughts are with the ordinary people of Iraq, who will be the unwilling victims of this slaughter."

17/03/2003