ANTI-war protesters are urging workers across the two counties to stage a mass walkout on the day war with Iraq begins.

Worcester's Stop the War Coalition is urging workers to leave their jobs and children to walk out of class ready to gather in the city centre.

Branch chairman Rob Menzies says the public should send a powerful message to Prime Minister Tony Blair and his Cabinet colleagues.

"If the Government ignores the people, then the people will make the country ungovernable," he said.

The 40-year-old said he would be walking out of his job as social worker at a psychiatric hospital to demonstrate because he believed military action be a mass slaughter of innocent people.

Mr Menzies, who was elected as chairman of the group on Thursday, said he was not concerned about action from his employers.

"I won't be alone," he said. "Given that we have support from the European TUC, the employers are unlikely to take action."

The call comes as another anti-war march was due to happen in Worcester today.

Stop the War group secretary Isabel Swift expected the whole country to rise up in protest when the first bombs drop on Iraq.

"If the Government goes to war, then we're going to bring the country to a stop," she said. "This Government only seems to understand force - so we're going to force them stop."

The Malvern Justice and Peace Group - which rallied last Saturday - is also planning action with a demonstration at Belle Vue Terrace, in the town, at 6pm on the day war is declared,.

But it will not just be adults who will be taking to the streets.

Fourteen-year-old Jack Kirtley - who made headlines after he walked out of The Chase High School, in Malvern, with other students to protest last Friday - also plans to take part in any mass walkout.

"It's to get the message across that we shouldn't just stand by while innocent people get killed for nothing," he said.

But Worcester's Labour group leader, Unison representative Adrian Gregson, warned that workers who walked out would be in breach of their employment contracts.

Though the union supported the Stop the War Coalition, officials were not calling on members to take such action yet.

"We'd advise anyone in relation to their employment rights, and offer them our support," he said.

"We have contingency plans in place to respond to any incidents involving public demonstrations or disorder, wherever it may occur," a West Mercia police spokesman said.

"We'd provide a fast response in the light of the prevailing circumstances. Our primary concern his to ensure the safety of the public at large and those involved in any such demonstrations."

ANTI-war protesters are urging workers across the two counties to stage a mass walkout on the day war with Iraq begins.

Worcester's Stop the War Coalition is urging workers to leave their jobs and children to walk out of class ready to gather in the city centre.

Branch chairman Rob Menzies says the public should send a powerful message to Prime Minister Tony Blair and his Cabinet colleagues.

"If the Government ignores the people, then the people will make the country ungovernable," he said.

The 40-year-old said he would be walking out of his job as social worker at a psychiatric hospital to demonstrate because he believed military

action be a mass slaughter of innocent people.

Mr Menzies, who was elected as chairman of the group on Thursday, said he was not concerned about action from his employers.

"I won't be alone," he said. "Given that we have support from the European TUC, the employers are unlikely to take action."

The call comes as another anti-war march was due to happen in Worcester today.

Stop the War group secretary Isabel Swift expected the whole country to rise up in protest when the first bombs drop on Iraq.

"If the Government goes to war, then we're going to bring the country to a stop," she said. "This Government only seems to understand force - so we're going to force them stop."

The Malvern Justice and Peace Group - which rallied last Saturday - is also planning action with a demonstration at Belle Vue Terrace, in the town, at 6pm on the day war is declared,.

But it will not just be adults who will be taking to the streets.

Fourteen-year-old Jack Kirtley - who made headlines after he walked out of The Chase High School, in Malvern, with other students to protest last Friday - also plans to take part in any mass walkout.

"It's to get the message across that we shouldn't just stand by while innocent people get killed for nothing," he said.

But Worcester's Labour group leader, Unison representative Adrian Gregson, warned that workers who walked out would be in breach of their employment contracts.

Though the union supported the Stop the War Coalition, officials were not calling on members to take such action yet.

"We'd advise anyone in relation to their employment rights, and offer them our support," he said.

"We have contingency plans in place to respond to any incidents involving public demonstrations or disorder, wherever it may occur," a West Mercia police spokesman said.

"We'd provide a fast response in the light of the prevailing circumstances. Our primary concern his to ensure the safety of the public at large and those involved in any such demonstrations."