Pupils walked out of school yesterday to take part in a global campaign for action on climate change.

At 11am on Friday over 200 students from Archway, Marling and Stroud High left their lessons and gathered at the anti-slavery arch on the corner of the Paganhill estate before a march towards town.

"Our future, our choice" and "Why aren't more adults doing this?" were among the slogans on placards carried by the pupils for the protest which organisers Youth Strike 4 Climate said took place in more than 60 towns and cities.

Setting off, the pupils made their way along Stratford Road towards Beards Lane, crossing the railway bridge and stopping outside the gates of the two grammars.

"Join us!" some of the young protestors shouted - to what sounded like cheers from those still at their desks - before continuing on along Cainscross Road.

At this point the pupils began marching in the road itself, holding up traffic and chanting: "If not now, when? If not you, who?"

Some drivers edged past when they could. Others showed their support - a motorcyclist joined the parade, fist-bumping pupils.

One boy briefly sat in the road in front of a car.

Leading the charge towards Wallbridge was 15-year-old Dan Green, an Archway pupil who had helped organise the march.

His father, Stroud town councillor Rob Green, later said he was "very proud" of his son.

"They are very empowered by this. It's their future, it's important," Rob said.

Once in town the pupils began a rally, taking it turns to speak on an open stage as police arrived.

"Whose Earth is it?" one pupil asked to the reply of "Ours!" from the crowd.

Another said: "We all look different, and we are all wearing different uniforms, but we all want to save the world."

Friday's protest was part of a movement inspired by a 15-year-old girl from Sweden named Greta Thunberg who in September skipped class to hold a protest outside her country's parliament, accusing lawmakers of not following the Paris climate accord.

As to what Stroud's headteachers made of it, Colin Belford of Archway School said: "A number of students from the school carefully considered the issues being highlighted by protesters and decided to take part in today's demonstration.

"They were supported by their parents in their decision.

"While as a school we cannot condone students taking time out of education, we do believe that it is important that pupils take global issues seriously."