International students from Atlantic College, in south Wales, joined local peace campaigners in the march at RAF St Athan, in the Vale of Glamorgan on Saturday.

We think that if America and Britain are serious about getting rid of weapons of mass destruction then they should start at home Protest organiser Joel Kenrick

The students - calling themselves the International Citizens' Weapons Inspectorate - demanded to search the site in what they described as a non-violent symbolic action.

The march was held to protest at possible war in Iraq and started at Llantwit Major Town Hall, before moving on to the nearby RAF base.

Students from countries including Columbia, Israel, Palestine, Pakistan and the USA, dressed in national costume, while others dressed as weapons inspectors.

'Success'

Protest organiser Joel Kenrick said: "It has been a great success.

"The only problem was that they did not let us in to the base.

"We handed in a petition instead. There were more than 200 people here and it was all very good natured.

"We are protesting not just to show our opposition to the war with Iraq, but to show our opposition to weapons of mass destruction wherever they are.

"We think that if America and Britain are serious about getting rid of weapons of mass destruction then they should start at home."

Some of the protestors dressed as weapons inspectors

Nobel Peace Prize nominee Gerson Andres Florez Perez, 17, was also at the demonstration.

The Columbian student, nominated for the award last year for his work in his native country, is currently studying at Atlantic College, one of 10 United World Colleges around the world.

He said: "Nobody has the right to say who can live and who must die.

"All of us have the same right to be free and live in peace.

"There is no justification in killing anyone, we can and must find other ways to keep security and freedom."