Around a million people have taken to the streets of London in protest against a conflict in the Gulf.

Politicians, activists and tens of thousands of people brought central London to a standstill on Saturday for the "Stop the War" protest to warn Tony Blair against a military conflict in Iraq.

The march organisers claimed two million people took to the streets on Saturday and the Metropolitan Police estimated the figure was "in excess" of 750,000.

It means the demonstration is the largest of its kind ever.

Marchers spanned generations, classes, religions and came from all parts of the country to register their anger. Around 1500 coaches were used to ferry people to the capital and rail firms reported brisk business.

Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy, American civil rights activist Jesse Jackson and London mayor Ken Livingstone were among the speakers.

They were joined by Labour MPs George Galloway, Jeremy Corbin and Diane Abbot as well as veteran campaigners Tony Benn and Michael Foot.

Former cabinet minister Mo Mowlam and Labour NEC member Mark Seddon also addressed the crowd.

Other speakers included trade union leaders, peace campaigners and celebrities.

Police later reported that just three arrests were made and the event passed off peacefully.

Some of the key speakers gave their reaction to the day to ePolitix.com.

A spokesman for the Muslim Association of Britain, which helped organise the event, said the scale of the turnout would have a wide-reaching impact.

"The key message is don't attack Iraq. The numbers are unprecedented. It sends out a pretty strong message to the government that they cannot disregard the views of most people," he said.

"If they are talking about countries in the Middle East that are dangerous they should look first at Israel. The evidence offered by the US and Britain does not support in any way the contention that an imminent threat emanates from Iraq."

The Metropolitan Police's deputy assistant commissioner Andy Trotter thanked all those who attended the march.

"In excess of 750,000 people take a long time to move, and progress can be slow and frustrating for demonstrators anxious to express their concerns. We are very grateful to everybody for their patience," he said.

"The organisers have worked very hard to make the day run smoothly and have co-operated with us from day one. This, along with some excellent stewarding provided by the organisers, has allowed people to express their concerns about world events in a safe and peaceful way.

"Having so few arrests when so many people are gathered together with passionate views is a reflection on everyone involved - those marching, the organisers, and the police officers themselves."