The last student march resulted in arrests

Schoolchildren were encouraged by Leicester Students' Stop The War Coalition to leave classes for the protest at midday on Wednesday.

But education leaders in the city warned that pupils who attended the demonstration would be treated as truants.

A police spokesman said beat officers had been instructed to pay extra attention to schools throughout the day to ensure students did not walk out.

The measures came after hundreds of students left schools to join a rally in Leicester on 7 March.

Eight people were arrested during the demonstration after students broke through police lines.

We must balance freedom of expression against the risk of serious disorder and disruption to the normal running of the city Chief Inspector Mick Mills

Six people have since been charged with public order offences.

Paul Livock, Leicester City Council's education director, said: "Pupils who attend such an unplanned demonstration are clearly putting their safety at risk, and we are therefore urging them to attend school as usual and asking for their parents' support to achieve this."

Chief Inspector Mick Mills, of Leicestershire Police, said: "We are very aware that people wish to express their opinions and we will always try to facilitate their right to demonstration.

'Strong feelings'

"To that end we would appeal to anyone involved in the organisation of the event to come forward to talk to us.

"However, we must balance freedom of expression against the risk of serious disorder and disruption to the normal running of the city and take account of the safety of potentially vulnerable young people."

A spokesman for Leicester Students' Stop The War Coalition said: "We have been aiming this demonstration at school kids and students.

"I would encourage anybody to come out and protest against this war.

"I think the last demonstration just showed the strength of feeling people have."