It was billed as the greatest show on earth and the stars at Live 8 and the thousands who marched on Edinburgh did not disappoint.

They sent the clearest message yet that the world would no longer tolerate poverty.

The unprecedented global music event ended in London with Sir Paul McCartney telling 205,000 concert-goers and a worldwide audience estimated at up to three billion that G8 leaders could not ignore them.

He said: "We hope the heads of G8, are listening hard. They can't avoid this, they cannot have missed it and all you people who've come along for this message - we love you."

The concert finale was a rendition of The Long and the Winding Road - a call to march on Edinburgh to end world poverty.

Hundreds of thousands of people - many from Sussex - joined hands to form a human band around Scotland's capital.

Organisers claimed 200,000 protesters took to the streets for the Make Poverty History demonstration.

The ten-hour Live 8 show in Hyde Park included performances by Madonna, U2, Robbie Williams, Pink Floyd, The Who Mariah Carey and Sussex band Keane.

U2 and Paul McCartney opened the concert with a rendition of Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, and the words, "It was 20 years ago today", referring to Live Aid, on July 13, 1985.

But the message was hammered home by Nelson Mandela, who told the crowd at the Johannesburg concert, in an address beamed across the world: "Sometimes it falls upon on a generation to be great. You be that great generation.

"Let your greatness blossom. Of course, the task will not be easy. But not to do this would be a crime against humanity against which I ask all humanity now to rise up."

United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan told concert-goers in London: "The whole world has come together in solidarity with the poor. On behalf of the poor, the voiceless and the weak I say thank you."

Bob Geldof provided one of the most emotional moments of the day when he introduced 24-year-old Birhan Woldu, who, as a child wasting away because of famine, was shown in footage during the Live Aid concert to the audience.

Geldof brought Birhan on stage to huge applause, saying: "She had ten minutes to live 20 years ago.

"Because of Live Aid 20 years ago she is here tonight. Don't let them tell you that this doesn't work. Look at this beautiful woman."

In the US, the audience watched artists including Beyonce and Stevie Wonder, while performers also took to the stage in Paris, Rome, Berlin, Johannesburg, Tokyo, Barrie in Canada, Moscow and The Eden Project in Cornwall.

The march through Edinburgh's streets began in bright sunshine at 12.15pm on Saturday day led by celebrities including Daniel Bedingfield.

Beryl Chatfield, a retired church minister from Worthing, flew up from Gatwick.

She said: "I think today can have an effect, I think the people can influence the political leaders."

At 3pm the marchers, many dressed in white, stopped and held hands for a minute's silence, forming a giant circle around the city centre.

The white band is the symbol of the Make Poverty History campaign.

Among the marchers was Oxfam campaigner Leila Deen, from Brighton, who said: "I have joined hundreds of thousands of other people here in Edinburgh to call on world leaders to take this opportunity to bring an end to poverty.

"It is appalling that 20 years after Live Aid, 30,000 children die every day as a result of poverty."

Meredith Kenward, a 22-year-old art student from Southwick, said: "This protest is bound to have some impact. The important thing is to keep the fight against poverty on the agenda."

Her mother, 61-year-old supply teacher Eunice, said: "This cause has the support of the whole country. Tony Blair needs to realise there are a lot of young people, future voters, who are really behind this."

The average life expectancy in Africa is 46, while African nations spend $11 billion a year on servicing debt - more than they spend on health.

Rob Kent, 45, a writer from Hove, said: "All these problems are solvable because they are man-made. I definitely think this protest will make a difference."

Natalie Fisher, 25, from Brighton, made the journey up to Scotland with her one-year-old daughter Liylah.

She said: "I wanted my daughter to be part of making poverty history and I want to look back and say This is what we did'."

Sussex University activities officer Adele Burrow, 22, said: "So many people have come a long way, the turnout is incredible and represents the passion people feel."

Matt Wilkinson and Alex Wood, a scientist and a student from Eastbourne, were staying on in Scotland to confront the G8 leaders when they arrive on Wednesday.

Mr Wood, 19, said: "The demo today had the backing of Brown and Blair but we want to be seen when they don't want us to be.

"The leaders are coming here to put themselves on a golf course where they can't be seen so we will do the same and make our presence felt."

Comedian and actor Eddie Izzard, told the crowd: "This is the centre of the universe.

"There are other things going on but this is where it is really happening."

Hundreds of people who stayed at home in Sussex circled Brighton Pavilion on Saturday to form a human white ring. Many were dressed from head to toe in white, while some wore sashes.

As they walked around the Pavilion they waved banners and placards, chanting: "Make poverty history."

Among those who took part were Labour councillor Francis Tonks and the Mayor of Telscombe Marina Pepper.

Chrissi Gent, of the Brighton branch of the Trade Justice Campaign, organised the event to coincide with the G8 conference and the Live 8 concerts.

Mrs Gent, 43, of Park Crescent, Brighton, said: "I decided to organise this because I seemed to be the only person not going to Edinburgh.

"It is an opportunity for people who have not been able to go to G8 to show how they feel."

A similar demonstration took place yesterday around St Peter's Church in York Place, Brighton.

Brighton Pavilion Labour MP David Lepper joined the protest.

He said: "There is still more to be done at Edinburgh on debt relief, aid and trade justice and UK Government representatives need to know they have the people behind them in the work they are doing."

Activists from Brighton and Hove dressed as the poor from the developing world, donning shackles and chains and crawling behind Bush and Blair who carried whips and threw them crumbs.

Sarah Berger, coordinator of the Brighton and Hove Trade Justice Coalition, said: "There was a lot of anger in our group at the huge amount of coverage given in the media to the Live 8 concert with only a minor mention of events here.

"At least attention is being paid to the cause but it is a little frustrating."