Parents of students excluded for walking out of school in an anti-war protest are considering legal action to get them back into the classroom.

They are taking legal advice on whether headteacher Neil Hunter was right to exclude at least five pupils from Blatchington Mill School, Hove.

The teenagers were barred after leaving the school grounds two weeks ago in a demonstration against the war on Iraq.

The parents staged their own peaceful protest against the expulsions outside the school in Holmes Avenue yesterday.

They said they have the backing of hundreds of Blatchington Mill parents who have signed a petition demanding the exclusions be overturned.

A stall was also set up in George Street, Hove, and by yesterday afternoon more than 500 people had registered their concern at the headteacher's action.

A public meeting will be held at the Cornerstone Community Centre, Palmeira Square, tonight at 7.30pm for parents and other residents to give their views.

The suspended students and their parents have been summoned to disciplinary hearings at the school on Thursday.

It is understood that Mr Hunter and the school's governors will hear their appeals before deciding if the exclusions should stand.

Fran Kilvington, whose 12-year-old daughter was not one of those barred, said: "Parents are furious that the headmaster decided to punish the children in this way.

"For once, the children were not being apathetic and were expressing their views rather than just sitting painting their nails and texting each other on their mobile phones.

"We are taking legal advice about the legality of the action the headmaster has taken to see if he was right to do it.

"We also hope to make representations on behalf of the pupils at the disciplinary hearings through advocates from the Community Empowerment Network.

"The parents of the excluded students have been told that whatever decision is taken will apply to all their children.

"That means that if one remains excluded, the rest will also be excluded no matter what the circumstances in their individual case."

Up to 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 to school but others did not go back despite Mr Hunter's warnings they could face being suspended or expelled.

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

Mr Hunter said only a minority of the school's 1,700 students had taken part in the walk-out.

Many had chosen to protest by signing a petition in the school hall instead.

Yesterday he said: "I knew there were people protesting at the gates this morning but I was not aware that they were parents of students here.

"I was also not aware of the petition or the public meeting that has been organised until you told me, so I cannot really comment.

"The parents of the suspended students will be informed of the outcome of Thursday's hearings within 24 hours."