HUNDREDS of protesters have taken to the streets of Southampton today in a united front to call for a ceasfire in Gaza.

The city centre was brought to a standstill as more than 500 people marched from the Peace Fountain in East Park towards West Quay this afternoon.

With the morning's news carrying announcements that Israel had warned Gaza residents of its plans to escalate its offensive in the occupied territory, the timing of the demonstration was particularly poignant.

The noisy but peaceful protest, which coincided with others across Britain including a mass gathering in London's Hyde Park, came just 24 hours after both Israel and Hamas rejected UN calls for an immediate ceasefire.

The violence has already claimed more than 800 - mostly Palestinian - lives, including many children and civilians.

For full coverage of this event see Monday's Daily Echo