Pupils who were suspended for taking part in anti-war protests today began their fight to get back into classes.

A small group of protesters stood outside Blatchington Mill School in Hove this morning to show solidarity as the teenagers, excluded just weeks before their GCSE exams, went before an appeal panel of school governors.

Six students received fixed-term expulsions for leaving school without permission during a mass walkout earlier this month.

Around 300 pupils ran out of the school on March 7, bringing traffic in adjoining Nevill Avenue to a halt as they marched down the street shouting anti-war slogans.

Most were intercepted by teachers and returned but others did not go back despite warnings they would be punished.

Headteacher Neil Hunter later suspended the six for disobeying staff and putting the health and safety of other students at risk.

This morning pupils and parents were invited to the school to make their appeals. Each will be given a decision within 24 hours.

First in was the mother of Sarah McMurray, 15.

Sally McMurray, of Arthur Street, Hove, turned up shortly before 9am, saying she was nervous but determined not to back down.

She said: "We've started this and plan to see it through to the end. What has happened is unjust. It was something all the children were doing and we feel they have been singled out."

Mrs McMurray says headteacher Mr Hunter's action has put her daughter's education in jeopardy.

She said: "Sarah misses school. But she doesn't regret what she did. I think she feels proud to be part of something she believes in."

A small group of protesters gathered at the school at 8.30am but were quickly moved on by a member of staff and stood outside the school gates in Nevill Avenue.

Protest organiser Fran Kilvington, whose 12-year-old daughter is not one of those barred, said: "We didn't want to incur any confrontation with the school. We are here to support the parents.

"We have collected 1,000 signatures for our petition. We have been saying for years that young people are apathetic. Yet the minute they show some interest they are expelled."