YORK sixth form pupils are joining an anti-war demonstration in London tomorrow - and are prepared to risk arrest in order to stand up for their beliefs.

Seven pupils from All Saints' School in York are joining up to 1,000 people at a mass sit-down against the bombing in Afghanistan, which is taking place outside Downing Street tomorrow lunchtime, organised by groups including the Green Party and CND.

The demonstrators are calling for an end to the bombing so that aid can be delivered to the country before the harsh winter sets in and thousands of people's lives are put at risk. Freddie Carver, 17, and six of his fellow pupils, are travelling to the capital to show how strongly they oppose the military action.

Freddie said: "We believe that the war isn't really going to achieve anything, and it could do a lot of harm.

"Although it's almost certain that Osama bin Laden was behind the attacks, it seems that it takes more evidence to convict a shoplifter than it does to start a world war.

"We just want to show that the country is not united in its support of Tony Blair."

Fellow student Alex Moore said: "York students now feel so desperate in their struggle that they have to make a stand in the face of Tony Blair's arrogance, even if this means breaking the law."

Updated: 09:41 Saturday, October 20, 2001