Families, students, professionals and pensioners from every corner of the North marched in London on Saturday to tell their Prime Minister that war was not the answer.

Supporters transcended race, religion and nationality, but their vision of peace was the same.

The coaches that left Sunderland and Durham were filled with supporters aged from 16 to 75. Many had never marched before but felt their voices should be heard.

Organiser Dennis McDonald said: "We cover the whole spectrum of society, but it reflects the nation."

They had risen early. In Darlington, supporters and members of Darlington for Peace boarded the buses from Bishop Auckland and Sedgefield at about 6.30am.

Many were seasoned protestors, for others it was their first march. Their opinions were divided on whether the protest would make a difference but they knew they had to march all the same.

Organiser John Gilmore, of the Stop the War Coalition, handed out protest posters to be taped to the bus windows.

Richard Wanless, of Fishburn, joined other members of the Prime Minister's Sedgefield constituency in voicing his feelings.

A member of Sedgefield Against War, he said: "Tony Blair has lost total control. But he could yet be a hero.

"He could retain his leadership if he ignores Bush and says Britain won't join up."

It was 1pm before the Darlington delegation finally got to tread the streets of London.

As they joined protestors walking towards Hyde Park, they held their banners aloft, proud that the North-East voice could be heard.