More than 100 Greenhead High School students protested against war in Iraq this week.

Three sixth-form girls at the Utley school organised the peaceful demonstration on the school field during break time on Wednesday.

The teenagers shouted "We want peace" and waved banners with slogans such as "We want justice" and "Innocent till proven guilty".

The crowd of protestors were watched by about 200 more students during their 20-minute demonstration.

Staff stood nearby to ensure students remained within the safe confines of the school grounds, and shepherded them back to class after break.

Also watching the demonstration was PC Emma Harrison, Keighley's "school cop", who is based at Greenhead.

A similar demonstration was held at Greenhead during Wednesday lunch time.

South Craven School students, at Cross Hills, were due to hold a demonstration yesterday afternoon.

The Greenhead protests were organised by Sophie Karim, 17, Nazmeen Iqbal, 17, and Saiqa Nazir, 16, to express the feelings of many students.

Saiqa said: "We wanted to get our point across and let everyone know how we felt. We didn't want kids walking out or have trouble.

"A lot of little kids are terrified because of the war. Younger children here, and people at home, know what's going to happen."

The girls feel that although American President George Bush talks about bringing communities together in the war, he is actually separating them.

Saiqa fears the war will generate racism in England, but added: "In this school everyone is happy, with cultures together."

Tricia McCarthy, the school's new head, this week paid tribute to the three girls' organisation of the protests.

She said: "I admire the way they haven't disrupted the main running of the school. The way they conducted themselves was exemplary."

The head this week told students that if they had any fears with regard to the conflict they could approach staff for support.

She also told them that while everyone had a right to their own opinion, they must also respect others' opinions.

She said: "We don't want any falling out in the school, we don't want the harmony to be disrupted.

"I asked everyone to think about the consequences of the war. Some people will lose their lives, their livelihoods, their friends.

"It's about trying to ease students through this time. We recognise that people will be afraid."