A WEBSITE has been launched in support of the Hampshire teenager jailed for 32 months after being convicted of violent disorder during student protests in London last year.

Edward Woollard, 18, from Dibden Purlieu, confessed to throwing a fire extinguisher off the top of the Conservative Party's London headquarters, describing it as a ''moment of madness.''

His family and friends launched Support4EdWoollard after saying they had received an ''overwhelming'' number of messages of support.

''We hope that by setting up this website we can keep everyone up-to-date with how Ed is doing, provide a space for people to leave a message of support and a way of contacting him,'' said Edward's mother Tania Garwood.

''The letters of support for Edward and offers of help to ensure that his education can continue through his sentence have been overwhelming and are really helping to keep Edward's, and our spirits up.

''I would like to take this opportunity, on Edward's behalf, to thank the very many people who have offered support and offers of help.

''Edward has always said that what he did was a dangerous and awful thing, and he massively regrets what was a split-second moment of madness, and we are all thankful that no-one was hurt.

''His actions were completely out of character and he has always been regarded as a hard-working and kind lad, and someone who looks out for other people.''

Chris Rawlinson, a friend of the student, said: ''We know that Edward is not the only young person to be given an unduly long sentence following an incident during a protest, and by building a support network for Edward we hope to be able to offer support for others too.'