POOR weather may have put off many people – but did nothing to dishearten the hardy few who turned out for an anti-war protest in Ipswich.Peter Leech, secretary of the Ipswich branch of the Stop the War coalition, said: "It's a small turnout as people cancelled because of the weather.

POOR weather may have put off many people – but did nothing to dishearten the hardy few who turned out for an anti-war protest in Ipswich.

Peter Leech, secretary of the Ipswich branch of the Stop the War coalition, said: "It's a small turnout as people cancelled because of the weather. Driving conditions were really bad."

Dressed in masks and warm winter clothing the protesters did their best to get their message for peace and diplomacy with Iraq across.

One protestor wearing a particularly striking costume spoke out against any invasion.

Gita Banerji, 23, an assistant PA from Ipswich said: "I am against all war but particularly this one as it is hypocritical.

"I don't want innocent people to die when we could resolve our differences with diplomacy."

Jane Allain, 68, a retired social worker from Ipswich said: "I want to be here today because I feel we don't know what we will start with hostile acts of war.

"I feel as a member of the Labour Party we do not have a platform for ordinary people to speak out against the war."

Mrs Allain had given up time with her grandchildren to protest in the cold yesterday.

The protestors paraded through the town handing out leaflets advertising the mass rally in London on February 15 where over a million people are expected.

They were also asking people to sign their petition which will be handed to Ipswich MP Chris Mole next week.

There are more than 1,000 signatures already and on the day people were flocking to add more names.