DOZENS of people from Keighley travelled to London to support a demonstration highlighting atrocities being committed against civilians in Burma.

A coach load of 37 people from the town headed to the capital to protest outside the Burmese embassy against the killings of Rohingya Muslims in Burma's Rakhine state.

The recent outbreak of violence has drawn condemnation from across the world, much of which has centred on Burmese leader Aung San Suu Kyi's refusal to act against attacks on the Rohingya.

About 400,000 Rohingya have fled across the border into Bangladesh in the last three weeks, joining another 250,000 Rohingya who are already refugees in Bangladesh.

The Keighley contingent's participation in the demonstration in London was led by the Keighley Community Support (KCS) group, which arranged for the coach to transport people to the protest.

KCS spokesman Fulzar Ahmed said: "At the protest itself outside the embassy there were between 20,000 and 25,000 people.

"The simple message being delivered was 'why isn't the international community waking up to what is happening?'

"There was a lot of anger against Burma's military and against Aung San Suu Kyi who is remaining silent."

He said following the rally outside the Burmese embassy there was a further demonstration outside Downing Street.

Mr Ahmed said KCS would now explore what fundraising it can do to contribute to aid organisations working in the conflict zone.