Students have gathered in Wrexham to voice their concerns that the government are ignoring their views over the possibility of military action against Iraq.

A protest was held in the north Wales town centre on Thursday as part of the national anti-war campaign organised by Stop the War Coalition.

Many people are against military action

At the demonstration, Danielle Chamberlain, 16, from Wrexham said politicians were not listening to young people.

"It's us that are going to be here after the MPs have gone so our opinions matter," she said.

"The politicians are just doing what they want to do and they're not listening to other people.

"They say that the Iraq government are causing war but they are behaving worse by killing innocent people."

These rallies will make people aware that millions more people are going to die

Nicole Roberts Student

Members of Wrexham Against the War claim the government are ready to take military action to gain control of oil supplies.

David McKnight from Wrexham Students Against the War said a military campaign would devastate the world.

"I think that attacking Iraq will increase the number of terrorist attacks both here and in the United States.

"The war isn't about weapons inspectors, it's about America exerting its power across the world and I believe it's about oil."

Younger people want their voices heard

He said local communities throughout Wrexham have supported their stance.

"Schoolchildren made a banner saying 'Kids say no to war' we put it up on the main road into town and we hung another banner up on a road bridge in Wrexham.

"We also had a small rally outside the Esso service station - saying no war over oil."

MEP Jill Evans addressed the crowds in Wrexham during a lively rally.

"We all want to see a democratic government in Iraq but more bloodshed won't achieve that," she said.

MEP Jill Evans addressed the crowd

Members of Wrexham Against the War have gathered signatures from shoppers who are opposed to war with Iraq and its leader Saddam Hussein.

They say they have received positive feedback from local people.

Nicole Roberts from Llangollen said she hopes the event, which is one of hundreds across the UK, will make a difference.

"These rallies will make people aware that millions more people are going to die.

"Like us they don't want war either," she said.